24
Timothy, who had been defeated by the Jews once before, had gathered a large number of cavalry from Asia and a tremendous force of mercenary troops and was now advancing to take Judea by armed attack.
25
But as the enemy forces were approaching, Judas and his men prayed to God. They put on sackcloth, threw dirt on their heads,
26
and lay face downward on the steps of the altar, begging God to help them by fighting against their enemies, as he had promised in his Law.
27
When they had finished praying, they took up their weapons, went out a good distance from Jerusalem, and stopped for the night not far from the enemy.
28
At daybreak the two armies joined in battle. The Jewish forces depended upon both their bravery and their trust in the Lord for victory, while the enemy relied only on their ability to fight fiercely.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.