71
Now if you have confidence in your military forces, come down to the plain to meet us. Let's match strength against strength there, because I have with me the forces of the cities.
72
Discover who I am and who the others are that are helping us, and you will learn that you cannot stand before us. Twice before, your ancestors were forced to flee in their own land.
73
Now you will not be able to stand up against my cavalry and my army in the plain, where there is no stone or pebble, or place to escape.
74
When Jonathan heard Apollonius' words, a fire was lit under him. He chose ten thousand men and set out from Jerusalem. His brother Simon met him to assist.
75
He camped in front of Joppa. But the people of the city closed its gates because Apollonius had a defense force there. So they fought against it.