2 Maccabees 14:6-8

Good News Translation

⁶     The followers of Judas Maccabeus think of themselves as devout and patriotic; they love war and are constantly inciting the people to rebellion and will never leave the nation in peace. ⁷ It is their fault that I no longer hold the glorious position of High Priest, to which I am entitled by birth. And so I have come here, ⁸ primarily out of a genuine concern for your interests as king, but also out of consideration for my own people, for the foolish policies of Judas and his followers have brought terrible suffering on our entire nation.