18
And because certain ones, who were no less than nine thousand, had fled together into two very strong castles, having all manner of things necessary to sustain the siege,
19
Maccabeus left Simon and Joseph, and Zaccheus also and those who were with him, who were enough to besiege them, and departed himself unto those places which needed his help more.
20
Now those who were with Simon, being led by covetousness, were persuaded for money by certain of those who were in the castle, and took seventy thousand drachmas and let some of them escape.
21
But when it was told to Maccabeus what was done, he called the governors of the people together, and accused those men of having sold their brethren for money, and set their enemies free to fight against them.
22
So he slew those who were found traitors, and immediately took the two castles.
23
And having good success with his weapons in all things he took in hand, he slew in the two strongholds more than twenty thousand.
24
Now Timothy, whom the Jews had overcome before, when he had gathered a great multitude of foreign forces and horses out of Asia not a few, came as though he would take Judea by force of arms.
25
But when he drew near, those who were with Maccabeus turned to pray unto God, and sprinkled earth upon their heads, and girded their loins with sackcloth,
26
and fell down at the foot of the altar, and besought Him to be merciful to them, and to be an enemy to their enemies and an adversary to their adversaries, as the law declareth.
27
So after the prayer they took their weapons and went on further from the city; and when they drew near to their enemies, they kept to themselves.
28
Now the sun being newly risen, they joined both together, the one part having, together with their virtue, their refuge also in the Lord as a pledge of their success and victory, the other side making their rage leader of their battle.