1
But Nicanor, hearing that Judas and his company were in the strong places about Samaria, resolved without any danger to set upon them on the Sabbath day.
2
Nevertheless the Jews who were compelled to go with him said, O destroy not so cruelly and barbarously, but give honor to that day which He, that seeth all things, hath honored with holiness above all other days.
3
Then the most ungracious wretch demanded if there were a mighty one in heaven who had commanded the Sabbath day to be kept.
4
And when they said, There is in heaven a living Lord, and mighty, who commanded the seventh day to be kept,
5
then said the other, And I also am mighty upon earth, and I command to take arms and to do the king's business. Yet he prevailed not in having his wicked will done.
6
So Nicanor, in exceeding pride and haughtiness, determined to set up a public monument of his victory over Judas and those who were with him.
7
But Maccabeus had ever sure confidence that the Lord would help him.
8
Therefore he exhorted his people not to fear the coming of the heathen against them, but to remember the help which in former times they had received from heaven, and now to expect the victory and aid which should come unto them from the Almighty.
9
And so, comforting them out of the Law and the Prophets and thereby putting them in mind of the battles that they won before, he made them more cheerful.
10
And when he had stirred up their minds, he gave them their charge, showing them moreover the falsehood of the heathen and the breach of oaths.
11
Thus he armed every one of them, not so much with defense of shields and spears as with comfortable and good words; and besides that, he told them a dream worthy to be believed, as if it had been so indeed, which did not a little cheer them.