17
who, when they saw the host coming to meet them, said unto Judas, "How shall we be able, being so few, to fight against so great a multitude and so strong, seeing we are ready to faint with fasting all this day?"
18
Unto whom Judas answered, "It is no hard matter for many to be shut up in the hands of a few; and with the God of heaven it is all one: to deliver with a great multitude, or a small company.
19
For the victory of battle standeth not in the multitude of a host, but strength cometh from heaven.
20
They come against us in much pride and iniquity to destroy us and our wives and children, and to despoil us;
21
but we fight for our lives and our laws.
22
Therefore the Lord Himself will overthrow them before our face; and as for you, be ye not afraid of them."
23
Now as soon as he had left off speaking, he leaped suddenly upon them; and so Seron and his host were overthrown before him.
24
And they pursued them from the descent of Beth-horon unto the plain, where about eight hundred men of them were slain, and the residue fled into the land of the Philistines.
25
Then the fear of Judas and his brethren, and an exceeding great dread, began to fall upon the nations round about them,
26
insomuch that his fame came unto the king; and all nations talked of the battles of Judas.
27
Now when King Antiochus heard these things, he was full of indignation. Therefore he sent and gathered together all the forces of his realm, even a very strong army.