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They brought the priests' robes, the offerings of the first grain, and the tithes, and then they brought in some Nazirites who had completed their vows.
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The whole community prayed, "Lord, what shall we do with these things? Where shall we take them,
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now that your holy Temple has been trampled and profaned by Gentiles, and your priests mourn in disgrace?
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The Gentiles have come to attack and destroy us. You know what they plan to do!
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If you don't help us, how can we stand up against them?"
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Then they blew trumpets and shouted loudly.
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After that, Judas divided his men into groups of ten, fifty, a hundred, and a thousand, placing officers in charge of each group.
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Then, in obedience to the Law, he sent home everyone who had recently been married, built a house, or planted a vineyard, as well as anyone who was afraid.
1
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Finally, the army marched out and took up positions south of Emmaus,
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where Judas said to them: "Prepare yourselves for battle and be courageous! Be ready early tomorrow morning to fight these Gentiles who have joined forces to attack us and destroy us and our Temple.
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It is better for us to die fighting than to stand idly by and watch the destruction of our nation and our Temple.