1
Furthermore, when Demetrius heard that Nicanor and his host were slain in battle, he sent Bacchides and Alcimus into the land of Judea the second time, and with them the chief strength of his host,
2
who went forth by the way that leadeth to Gilgal, and pitched their tents before Mesaloth, which is in Arbela; and after they had won it, they slew many people.
3
Also the first month of the hundred fifty and second year, they encamped before Jerusalem,
4
from whence they removed and went to Berea with twenty thousand footmen and two thousand horsemen.
5
Now Judas had pitched his tents at Elasa, and three thousand chosen men with him,
6
who, seeing the multitude of the other army to be so great, were sore afraid, whereupon many removed themselves out of the host, insomuch that there remained of them no more than eight hundred men.
7
When Judas therefore saw that his host slipped away and that the battle pressed upon him, he was sorely troubled in mind and much distressed, for he had no time to gather them together.