5
He searched out and pursued those who broke the law; he burned those who troubled his people.
6
Lawbreakers shrank back for fear of him; all the evildoers were confounded; and deliverance prospered by his hand.
7
He embittered many kings, but he made Jacob glad by his deeds, and his memory is blessed forever.
8
He went through the cities of Judah; he destroyed the ungodly out of the land; thus he turned away wrath from Israel.
9
He was renowned to the ends of the earth; he gathered in those who were perishing.
10
Apollonius now gathered together Gentiles and a large force from Samaria to fight against Israel.
11
When Judas learned of it, he went out to meet him, and he defeated and killed him. Many were wounded and fell, and the rest fled.
12
Then they seized their spoils; and Judas took the sword of Apollonius, and used it in battle the rest of his life.
13
When Seron, the commander of the Syrian army, heard that Judas had gathered a large company, including a body 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 scorn the king's command."
15
Once again a strong army of godless men went up with him to help him, to take vengeance on the Israelites.