9
Now the king came with a barbarous and haughty mind to do far worse to the Jews than had been done in his father's time.
10
When Judas perceived these things, he commanded the multitude to call upon the Lord night and day that, if ever at any other time, He would now also help them, being at the point of being removed from their law, from their country, and from the holy temple,
11
and that He would not suffer the people, who had even now been but a little refreshed, to be in subjection to the blasphemous nations.
12
So when they had all done this together, and besought the merciful Lord with weeping and fasting, and lying flat upon the ground three days long, Judas, having exhorted them, commanded they should be in readiness.
13
And Judas, being apart with the elders, determined, before the king's host should enter into Judea and get the city, to go forth and try the matter in battle with the help of the Lord.
14
So when he had committed all to the Creator of the world, and exhorted his soldiers to fight manfully, even unto death, for the laws, the temple, the city, the country, and the commonwealth, he camped by Modin.
15
And having given the watchword to those who were about him, Victory is from God, with the most valiant and choice young men he went in into the king's tent by night, and slew in the camp about four thousand men, and the chiefest of the elephants, with all who were upon him.
16
And at last they filled the camp with fear and tumult, and departed with good success.
17
This was done at the break of the day, because the protection of the Lord had helped him.
18
Now when the king had taken a taste of the manliness of the Jews, he went about to take the strongholds by strategy,
19
and marched toward Beth-zur, which was a stronghold of the Jews; but he was put to flight, failed, and lost some of his men.