15
they said that the people of Ptolemais and Tyre and Sidon, and all Galilee of the Gentiles, had gathered together against them "to annihilate us."
16
When Judas and the people heard these messages, a great assembly was called to determine what they should do for their kindred who were in distress and were being attacked by enemies.
17
Then Judas said to his brother Simon, "Choose your men and go and rescue your kindred in Galilee; Jonathan my brother and I will go to Gilead."
18
But he left Joseph, son of Zechariah, and Azariah, a leader of the people, with the rest of the forces, in Judea to guard it;
19
and he gave them this command, "Take charge of this people, but do not engage in battle with the Gentiles until we return."
20
Then three thousand men were assigned to Simon to go to Galilee, and eight thousand to Judas for Gilead.
21
So Simon went to Galilee and fought many battles against the Gentiles, and the Gentiles were crushed before him.
22
He pursued them to the gate of Ptolemais; as many as three thousand of the Gentiles fell, and he despoiled them.
23
Then he took the Jews of Galilee and Arbatta, with their wives and children, and all they possessed, and led them to Judea with great rejoicing.
24
Judas Maccabeus and his brother Jonathan crossed the Jordan and made three days' journey into the wilderness.
25
They encountered the Nabateans, who met them peaceably and told them all that had happened to their kindred in Gilead: