5
he replied, "And I am a sovereign also, on earth, and I command you to take up arms and finish the king's business." Nevertheless, he did not succeed in carrying out his abominable design.
6
This Nicanor in his utter boastfulness and arrogance had determined to erect a public monument of victory over Judas and his men.
7
But Maccabeus did not cease to trust with all confidence that he would get help from the Lord.
8
And he exhorted his men not to fear the attack of the Gentiles, but to keep in mind the former times when help had come to them from heaven, and now to look for the victory which the Almighty would give them.
9
Encouraging them from the law and the prophets, and reminding them also of the struggles they had won, he made them the more eager.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the 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.