14
So, committing the decision to the Creator of the world and exhorting his men to fight nobly to the death for the laws, temple, city, country, and commonwealth, he pitched his camp near Modein.
15
He gave his men the watchword, "God's victory," and with a picked force of the bravest young men, he attacked the king's pavilion at night and slew as many as two thousand men in the camp. He stabbed the leading elephant and its rider.
16
In the end they filled the camp with terror and confusion and withdrew in triumph.
17
This happened, just as day was dawning, because the Lord's help protected him.
18
The king, having had a taste of the daring of the Jews, tried strategy in attacking their positions.
19
He advanced against Beth-zur, a strong fortress of the Jews, was turned back, attacked again, and was defeated.
20
Judas sent in to the garrison whatever was necessary.
21
But Rhodocus, a man from the ranks of the Jews, gave secret information to the enemy; he was sought for, caught, and put in prison.
22
The king negotiated a second time with the people in Beth-zur, gave pledges, received theirs, withdrew, attacked Judas and his men, was defeated;
23
he got word that Philip, who had been left in charge of the government, had revolted in Antioch; he was dismayed, called in the Jews, yielded and swore to observe all their rights, settled with them and offered sacrifice, honored the sanctuary and showed generosity to the holy place.
24
He received Maccabeus, left Hegemonides as governor from Ptolemais to Gerar,