55
After this Judas appointed leaders of the people, in charge of thousands and hundreds and fifties and tens.
56
Those who were building houses, or were about to be married, or were planting a vineyard, or were fainthearted, he told to go home again, according to the law.
57
Then the army marched out and encamped to the south of Emmaus.
58
And Judas said, "Arm yourselves and be courageous. Be ready early in the morning to fight with these Gentiles who have assembled against us to destroy us and our sanctuary.
59
It is better for us to die in battle than to see the misfortunes of our nation and of the sanctuary.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.