16
"This holy sword is a gift from God. Take it and destroy your enemies."
17
The eloquent words that Judas spoke encouraged everyone to be brave, and inspired boys to fight like men. Their city, their religion, and their Temple were in danger. So the Jews made up their minds not to waste any time, but to make a daring attack against the enemy and bravely decide their fate in hand-to-hand combat.
18
They were not so concerned about their own families and relatives as they were about their sacred Temple.
19
And the people who had to stay in Jerusalem were deeply concerned about how a battle on open ground would turn out.
20
Everyone was waiting to see who would win the battle. The enemy troops were already moving forward, with their cavalry on each side of them, and their elephants placed in strategic positions.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.