1
Not long after this, Lysias the king's protector and cousin, who also managed the affairs, took sore displeasure in the things that were done.
2
And when he had gathered about fourscore thousand with all the horsemen, he came against the Jews, thinking to make the city a habitation for the Gentiles,
3
and to make a gain from the temple, as from the other chapels of the heathen, and to set out the high priesthood for sale every year,
4
not at all considering the power of God, but puffed up with his ten thousand footmen and his thousand horsemen and his fourscore elephants.
5
So he came to Judea, and drew near to Beth-zur, which was a fortified town but distant from Jerusalem about five furlongs; and he laid sore siege against it.
6
Now when those who were with Maccabeus heard that he besieged the strongholds, they and all the people with lamentation and tears besought the Lord that He would send a good angel to deliver Israel.
7
Then Maccabeus himself first of all took weapons, exhorting the others that they would jeopardize themselves together with him to help their brethren; so they went forth together with a willing mind.
8
And as they were at Jerusalem, there appeared before them on horseback one in white clothing, shaking his armor of gold.
9
Then they praised the merciful God all together and took heart, insomuch that they were ready not only to fight with men but with most cruel beasts, and to pierce through walls of iron.
10
Thus they marched forward with their armor, having a helper from heaven, for the Lord was merciful unto them.
11
And charging upon their enemies like lions, they slew eleven thousand footmen, and sixteen hundred horsemen, and put all the others to flight.