1 Maccabees 1:1-7

Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition

1 Now it came to pass, after that Alexander the son of Philip the Macedonian, who first reigned in Greece, coming out of the land of Cethim, had overthrown Darius king of the Persians and Medes:

² He fought many battles, and took the strong holds of all, and slew the kings of the earth:

³ And he went through even to the ends of the earth, and took the spoils of many nations: and the earth was quiet before him.

⁴ And he gathered a power, and a very strong army: and his heart was exalted and lifted up.

⁵ And he subdued countries of nations, and princes: and they became tributaries to him.

⁶ And after these things, he fell down upon his bed, and knew that he should die.

⁷ And he called his servants the nobles that were brought up with him from his youth: and he divided his kingdom among them, while he was yet alive.