44
But Judas took the town and burned the sacred grounds with fire, together with all who were hiding there. Even Carnaim was conquered, and they couldn't oppose Judas any longer.
45
Then Judas gathered all the Israelites in Gilead to go to the land of Judah. It was a very large group, both small and great, with all their wives, children, and goods.
46
They came to Ephron, a large and secure town along the way. They couldn't go around it on either side. They had to go through it.
47
But the townspeople shut them out and blocked up the gates with rocks.
48
Judas sent them a peaceful message: "Let us pass through your land to get to ours. We won't do you any harm. We'll just pass through by foot." But they still refused to open to him.