Joseph and Azariah defeated
55 Now this is what happened while Judas and Jonathan were in Gilead and their brother Simon was in Galilee in front of Ptolemais.
56
Joseph, Zechariah's son, and Azariah (the commanders of the forces that had remained behind) heard about their brave deeds and the war they had fought.
57
So they said, "Let's make a name for ourselves too. Let's go and make war on the Gentiles around us."
58
They gave orders to the troops who were with them and marched against Jamnia.
59
Gorgias and his troops came out from the town to engage them in battle.
60
Joseph and Azariah were decisively defeated, and they were pursued to the borders of Judea. As many as two thousand Israelites died that day.
61
As a result, the people of Israel suffered a great defeat because, wanting to do a brave thing, they didn't obey Judas and his brothers.
62
Furthermore, they didn't belong to the family of those men through whom deliverance was given to Israel.
63
All Israel and all the Gentiles greatly esteemed Judas and his brothers, wherever their name was heard.
64
People gathered to them and praised them.