The King James Version Bible

1 Maccabees 1:2-10

  1. And made many wars, and won many strong holds, and slew the kings of the earth,

  2. And went through to the ends of the earth, and took spoils of many nations, insomuch that the earth was quiet before him; whereupon he was exalted and his heart was lifted up.

  3. And he gathered a mighty strong host and ruled over countries, and nations, and kings, who became tributaries unto him.

  4. And after these things he fell sick, and perceived that he should die.

  5. Wherefore he called his servants, such as were honourable, and had been brought up with him from his youth, and parted his kingdom among them, while he was yet alive.

  6. So Alexander reigned twelves years, and then died.

  7. And his servants bare rule every one in his place.

  8. And after his death they all put crowns upon themselves; so did their sons after them many years: and evils were multiplied in the earth.

  9. And there came out of them a wicked root Antiochus surnamed Epiphanes, son of Antiochus the king, who had been an hostage at Rome, and he reigned in the hundred and thirty and seventh year of the kingdom of the Greeks.