1 Maccabees 16:19-21

Revised Standard Version

¹⁹ He sent other men to Gazar′a to do away with John; he sent letters to the captains asking them to come to him so that he might give them silver and gold and gifts; ²⁰ and he sent other men to take possession of Jerusalem and the temple hill. ²¹ But some one ran ahead and reported to John at Gazar′a that his father and brothers had perished, and that “he has sent men to kill you also.”