Early victories of Judas
1 Then his son Judas, known as Maccabeus, took command in his place.
2
Every one of his brothers and all who had joined his father helped him, and they gladly fought for Israel.
3
He advanced the honor of his people. He put on his breastplate like a giant. He strapped on his war armor and waged battles, protecting the camp with his sword.
4
He was like a lion in his actions, like a lion's cub roaring after prey.
5
He hunted and pursued those who broke the Law. He burned up those who troubled his people.
6
Lawbreakers were afraid of him and retreated. All evildoers were in turmoil. His hand successfully brought deliverance.
7
He angered many kings, but he brought joy to Jacob by his deeds. His memory is blessed forever.
8
He went through the cities of Judah and destroyed the ungodly out of the land. As a result, he turned wrath away from Israel.
9
His fame extended to the ends of the earth. He gathered together those who were perishing.
10
Apollonius gathered Gentiles and a large force from Samaria to fight against Israel.
11
When Judas found out about it, he went out to meet him in battle, then defeated and killed him. Judas wounded and killed many, while the rest fled.
12
Then the Israelites seized their spoils. Judas took Apollonius' sword and used it in battle for the rest of his life.
13
At this point, Seron the commander of the Syrian army heard that Judas had gathered a large company, including a group of faithful soldiers who stayed with him and went out to battle.
14
He said, "I will make a name for myself and win honor in the kingdom. I will make war on Judas and his companions who reject the king's command."
15
Once more, a strong army of godless men went up with Seron to help him take vengeance on the Israelites.
16
When he approached the ascent to go up to Beth-horon, Judas went out to meet him with a small group.
17
When they saw Seron's army that was coming against them, they said to Judas, "How can we, who are so few, fight against so large and strong a multitude? What's more, we feel faint because we haven't eaten today."
18
Judas answered, "It's easy for many to be trapped by a few. In the sight of heaven, it makes no difference to win by many or by few.
19
It's not the size of the army that brings victory in battle, because strength comes from heaven.
20
They're coming against us with a lot of pride and evil. They want to destroy us, along with our wives and children. They want to ruin us.
21
But we are fighting for our lives and for our laws.
22
The heavenly one himself will crush them before us. Don't be afraid of them."
23
After Judas said these words, his soldiers rushed suddenly against Seron's army, and they crushed them.
24
Judas' soldiers pursued Seron's army down the hill from Beth-horon to the plain below. Eight hundred of them died. The rest fled into the land of the Philistines.
25
After this, Judas and his brothers were feared. Terror fell on all the Gentiles around them.
26
Even the king heard about his reputation, and the Gentiles talked about the battles waged by Judas.