10
and sent to Judas and his brothers a letter that said, "The Gentiles around us have gathered together to destroy us.
11
They are preparing to come and capture the stronghold to which we have fled, and Timothy is leading their forces.
12
Now then, come and rescue us from their hands, for many of us have fallen,
13
and all our kindred who were in the land of Tob have been killed; the enemy have captured their wives and children and goods, and have destroyed about a thousand persons there."
14
While the letter was still being read, other messengers, with their garments torn, came from Galilee and made a similar report;
15
they said that the people of Ptolemais and Tyre and Sidon, and all Galilee of the Gentiles, had gathered together against them "to annihilate us."
16
When Judas and the people heard these messages, a great assembly was called to determine what they should do for their kindred who were in distress and were being attacked by enemies.
17
Then Judas said to his brother Simon, "Choose your men and go and rescue your kindred in Galilee; Jonathan my brother and I will go to Gilead."
18
But he left Joseph, son of Zechariah, and Azariah, a leader of the people, with the rest of the forces, in Judea to guard it;
19
and he gave them this command, "Take charge of this people, but do not engage in battle with the Gentiles until we return."
20
Then three thousand men were assigned to Simon to go to Galilee, and eight thousand to Judas for Gilead.