1
Now when the nations round about heard that the altar was built and the sanctuary renewed as before, it displeased them very much.
2
Wherefore they thought to destroy the generation of Jacob that was among them, and thereupon they began to slay and destroy the people.
3
Then Judas fought against the children of Esau in Idumea at Arabattine, because they besieged Gael: and he gave them a great overthrow, and abated their courage, and took their spoils.
4
Also he remembered the injury of the children of Bean, who had been a snare and an offence unto the people, in that they lay in wait for them in the ways.
5
He shut them up therefore in the towers, and encamped against them, and destroyed them utterly, and burned the towers of that place with fire, and all that were therein.
6
Afterward he passed over to the children of Ammon, where he found a mighty power, and much people, with Timotheus their captain.
7
So he fought many battles with them, till at length they were discomfited before him; and he smote them.
8
And when he had taken Jazar, with the towns belonging thereto, he returned into Judea.
9
Then the heathen that were at Galaad assembled themselves together against the Israelites that were in their quarters, to destroy them; but they fled to the fortress of Dathema.
10
And sent letters unto Judas and his brethren, The heathen that are round about us are assembled together against us to destroy us:
11
And they are preparing to come and take the fortress whereunto we are fled, Timotheus being captain of their host.