38
Lysias chose Ptolemy son of Dorymenes, and Nicanor and Gorgias, able men among the Friends of the king,
39
and sent with them forty thousand infantry and seven thousand cavalry to go into the land of Judah and destroy it, as the king had commanded.
40
So they set out with their entire force, and when they arrived they encamped near Emmaus in the plain.
41
When the traders of the region heard what was said to them, they took silver and gold in immense amounts, and fetters, and went to the camp to get the Israelites for slaves. And forces from Syria and the land of the Philistines joined with them.
42
Now Judas and his brothers saw that misfortunes had increased and that the forces were encamped in their territory. They also learned what the king had commanded to do to the people to cause their final destruction.
43
But they said to one another, "Let us restore the ruins of our people, and fight for our people and the sanctuary."
44
So the congregation assembled to be ready for battle, and to pray and ask for mercy and compassion.
45
Jerusalem was uninhabited like a wilderness; not one of her children went in or out. The sanctuary was trampled down, and aliens held the citadel; it was a lodging place for the Gentiles. Joy was taken from Jacob; the flute and the harp ceased to play.
46
Then they gathered together and went to Mizpah, opposite Jerusalem, because Israel formerly had a place of prayer in Mizpah.
47
They fasted that day, put on sackcloth and sprinkled ashes on their heads, and tore their clothes.
48
And they opened the book of the law to inquire into those matters about which the Gentiles consulted the likenesses of their gods.