1 Maccabees 15:2-4

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

² its contents were as follows: “King Antiochus to Simon the high priest and ethnarch and to the nation of the Jews, greetings.^{(A) 3} Whereas certain scoundrels have gained control of the kingdom of our ancestors, and I intend to lay claim to the kingdom so that I may restore it as it formerly was, and have recruited a host of mercenary troops and have equipped warships,^{(B) 4} and intend to make a landing in the country so that I may proceed against those who have destroyed our country and those who have devastated many cities in my kingdom,^(C)