Good News Translation
He wrote a letter to the army officers inviting them to join him and promising them silver, gold, and gifts. Then he sent some of his men to Gezer to kill John,

Contemporary English Version
Ptolemy also wrote letters to the Jewish army commanders, promising them silver and gold and other gifts if they would help him. Some of Ptolemy's troops set out to take over Jerusalem and the temple hill, while others went to murder John in Gazara.

Douay-Rheims Bible
And he sent others to Gazara to kill John: and to the tribunes he sent letters to come to him, and that he would give them silver, and gold, and gifts.

And he sent others to Gazara to kill John: and to the tribunes he sent letters to come to him, and that he would give them silver, and gold, and gifts.

1 Maccabees 16:17
And he committed a great treachery in Israel, and rendered evil for good.

1 Maccabees 16:18
And Ptolemee wrote these things, and sent to the king that he should send him an army to aid him, and he would deliver him the country, and their cities, and tributes.

1 Maccabees 16:20
And he sent others to take Jerusalem, and the mountain of the temple.

1 Maccabees 16:21
Now one running before, told John in Gazara, that his father and his brethren were slain, and that he hath sent men to kill thee also.