56
Joseph and Azariah, the commanders of the army in Judea, heard about their brave deeds and victories.
57
They said to one another, "Let's go to war with the Gentiles around us and win some fame for ourselves."
58
So they and their men attacked Jamnia.
59
Gorgias and his men went out of the town to meet them in battle.
60
They defeated Joseph and Azariah and pursued them as far as the borders of Judea. At least 2,000 Israelite men were killed that day.
61
This great defeat came about because the Jewish commanders wanted to be heroes and refused to obey Judas and his brothers.
62
Besides, they did not belong to the family of the Maccabees, whom God had chosen to bring freedom to the people of Israel.
63
But Judas Maccabeus and his brothers won great respect among all the Israelites and all the Gentiles. When people heard of their fame,
64
large crowds gathered to praise them.
65
Then Judas and his brothers went to war against the Edomites to the south. He attacked Hebron and its surrounding towns, destroyed its fortifications, and burned down the towers around it.
66
Then he marched into the land of the Philistines and passed through Marisa.