14
Onias said: "This is God's prophet Jeremiah, who loves the Jewish people and offers many prayers for us and for Jerusalem, the holy city."
15
Then Jeremiah stretched out his right hand and gave Judas a gold sword, saying as he did so,
16
"This holy sword is a gift from God. Take it and destroy your enemies."
17
The eloquent words that Judas spoke encouraged everyone to be brave, and inspired boys to fight like men. Their city, their religion, and their Temple were in danger. So the Jews made up their minds not to waste any time, but to make a daring attack against the enemy and bravely decide their fate in hand-to-hand combat.
18
They were not so concerned about their own families and relatives as they were about their sacred Temple.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.