54. In the second month of the year 153, the High Priest Alcimus ordered that the wall of the inner court of the Temple must be torn down. This would have destroyed what the prophets had accomplished; but just as the work began,
55. he had a stroke, and work was stopped. Paralysed and unable to open his mouth, he could not speak or even make a will for his family.
56. He died in great torment.
57. When Bacchides learnt that Alcimus was dead, he returned to King Demetrius, and the land of Judea had peace for two years.