2 Maccabees 14:17-25

New Catholic Bible

¹⁷ Simon, the brother of Judas, engaged in battle with Nicanor, but suffered a minor setback due to the sudden appearance of the enemy. ¹⁸ However, when Nicanor heard of the bravery exhibited by Judas and his men and how courageously they always fought for their country, he became reluctant to allow the issue to be settled by bloodshed. ¹⁹ Therefore, he sent Posidonius, Theodotus, and Mattathias to negotiate a treaty of peace.

²⁰ After a lengthy discussion of the terms, each leader explained them to his troops, and all were of one mind in favor of accepting them. ²¹ On the day decided upon for the respective leaders to meet privately, a chariot came forward from each side, and thrones were set in place. ²² Judas had posted armed men at strategic points to prevent any sudden act of treachery on the part of the enemy. In this way, the conference was held without any complications.

²³ Nicanor stayed on in Jerusalem and did nothing there that could be construed as a hostile act. He sent away the crowds that had rallied to him, ²⁴ but he always kept Judas close to him, for he became deeply attached^[a] to him. ²⁵ He urged him to marry and have children, and Judas did marry and settle down to lead the quiet life of an ordinary citizen.