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But he ridiculed them and made them ceremonially unclean by spitting on them. He spoke proudly
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and angrily threatened them with an oath, "Unless Judas and his army are surrendered to me immediately, I will burn this Temple down as soon as I return after my victory." And he left in a rage.
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The priests went into the courtyard and stood facing the altar and the Temple. They started weeping and prayed,
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"Lord, you chose this Temple to bear your name and to be a place of prayer and intercession for your people.
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Now, take vengeance on this man and his army; let them die in battle. Remember how they spoke evil of you, and let none of them survive."
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Nicanor left Jerusalem and set up his headquarters at Beth Horon, where the Syrian army joined him.
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Meanwhile, Judas set up camp at Adasa with 3,000 men. There Judas prayed,
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"Lord, the Scriptures tell us that when a king sent messengers to insult you, your angel went out and killed 185,000 of his soldiers.
1
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Now, in the same way, crush this army before us today and let everyone know that Nicanor is being punished because he insulted your holy Temple. Punish him as his wickedness deserves."
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The armies met in battle on the thirteenth day of the month of Adar, and Nicanor's army was defeated. Nicanor himself was the first to be killed in the battle,
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and when his soldiers saw that he was dead, they threw down their weapons and fled.