1 Maccabees 16:18-20

New Catholic Bible

¹⁸ Then Ptolemy wrote a report about his deed and forwarded it to the king, asking that troops be sent to aid him and that the country and its towns be placed under his rule. ¹⁹ He sent some troops to Gazara to do away with John, and he wrote letters to his military commanders inviting them to come to him so that he might reward them with silver, gold, and gifts. ²⁰ He also sent other troops to seize control of Jerusalem and the temple mount.