1Now Philopator, having learned from those who returned of the seizure by Antiochus of the places under his control, commanded all his forces, both infantry and cavalry. And taking his sister Arsinoe with him, he marched out as far as the regions around Raphia, where Antiochus and his men had encamped.
2But a certain Theodotus, intending to carry out a plot, took the best of the Ptolemaic arms that had been assigned to him and crossed over by night to Ptolemy’s tent, in order to kill him himself and thereby end the war.
3But Dositheus, called the son of Drimylus, who was attending Ptolemy—a Jew by birth, but who had later changed his ways and become alienated from the ancestral doctrines—had an insignificant person lie down in the tent, who then happened to receive the punishment intended for that man.
4And when a fierce battle ensued and things were going better for Antiochus, Arsinoe went among the forces and, with her hair unbound, tearfully and pitifully urged them to fight bravely for themselves, their children, and their wives, promising to give two minas of gold to each man who was victorious.
5And so it happened that the enemy was destroyed in hand-to-hand combat, and many were also taken as prisoners of war.
6Having thwarted the treacherous attack, he decided to visit and encourage the nearby cities.
7Having done this, and having distributed gifts to the temples, he made his subjects confident.
8And when the Jews sent men from their council and elders to greet him, bring him gifts, and rejoice with him over what had happened, he became all the more eager to visit them as quickly as possible.
9And having been brought to Jerusalem, and having sacrificed to the faithful God, given thanks, and done other fitting things for the place, he arrived at the location and was struck by its magnificence and reverence,
10and marveling also at the good order of the temple complex, he formed the intention to enter the sanctuary.
11But when they said that it was not proper for this to happen, because not even all members of their nation were permitted to enter, nor all the priests, but only the high priest who is chief of all, and he only once a year—he was in no way persuaded.
12And when the Law was read aloud to him, not even then did he desist, insisting that he himself must enter, saying, “Even if they have been deprived of this honor, I should not be.”
13And he asked for what reason, when he entered any other temple, no one present had hindered him.
14And someone thoughtlessly said that it was wrong to make a marvel of this.
15“Since this is the case,” he said, “for what reason should I not enter anyway, whether they are willing or not?”
16And when the priests in all their vestments fell down and begged the most great God to help in the present crisis and to turn aside the violent impulse of the one with evil intent, and when they had filled the temple complex with a cry and with tears,
17those who had been left behind in the city were thrown into confusion and rushed out, uncertain about what was happening.
18The virgins who were kept secluded in their chambers rushed out with their mothers; they sprinkled their hair with dust and filled the streets with groans.
19Even the newly-wed brides, abandoning the chambers prepared for their union and casting aside their proper modesty, ran in a disorderly throng through the city.
20Besides these, mothers and nurses, leaving their newborn children behind here and there—some in houses, others in the streets—gathered without turning back at the most high temple.
21And the prayer of those who had gathered there was varied, concerning the unholy things being attempted by that man.
22Along with these, the boldest of the citizens would not tolerate him pressing on to the end and intending to fulfill his purpose.
23Shouting out to rush for their weapons and to die bravely for the ancestral law, they caused a great disturbance in the place. But being turned back with difficulty by the old men and the elders, they returned to the same posture of prayer.
24And the crowd, as before, continued with them in prayer.
25But the elders who were with the king tried in many ways to turn his arrogant mind from his intended purpose.
26But growing bold and having already dismissed everyone, he began to make his approach, thinking he would now bring the aforesaid matter to a conclusion.
27Therefore, when his own attendants saw this, they too turned to call upon the one who has all power, along with our people, to help in the present crisis and not to overlook this lawless and arrogant deed.
28And from the dense and anguished cry of the crowds gathered together, there arose an indescribable shout.
29For it seemed that not only the people but also the walls and the very ground were echoing, since everyone at that time would have chosen death over the defilement of the place.
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