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He told them that he had seen a vision of Onias, the former High Priest, that great and wonderful man of humble and gentle disposition, who was an outstanding orator and who had been taught from childhood how to live a virtuous life. With outstretched arms Onias was praying for the entire Jewish nation.
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Judas then saw an impressive white-haired man of great dignity and authority.
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Onias said: "This is God's prophet Jeremiah, who loves the Jewish people and offers many prayers for us and for Jerusalem, the holy city."
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Then Jeremiah stretched out his right hand and gave Judas a gold sword, saying as he did so,
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"This holy sword is a gift from God. Take it and destroy your enemies."
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The eloquent words that Judas spoke encouraged everyone to be brave, and inspired boys to fight like men. Their city, their religion, and their Temple were in danger. So the Jews made up their minds not to waste any time, but to make a daring attack against the enemy and bravely decide their fate in hand-to-hand combat.
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They were not so concerned about their own families and relatives as they were about their sacred Temple.
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And the people who had to stay in Jerusalem were deeply concerned about how a battle on open ground would turn out.
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Everyone was waiting to see who would win the battle. The enemy troops were already moving forward, with their cavalry on each side of them, and their elephants placed in strategic positions.
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Judas Maccabeus looked at the huge enemy force, the variety of their weapons, and their fierce elephants. Then he raised his hands toward heaven and prayed to the Lord, who works miracles, because he knew that the Lord gives victory to those who deserve it, not to those who have a strong army.
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Judas said: "Lord, when Hezekiah was king of Judah, you sent your angel, who killed 185,000 of King Sennacherib's men.
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