14
And Onias spoke, saying, "This is a man who loves the family of Israel and prays much for the people and the holy city—Jeremiah, the prophet of God."
15
Jeremiah stretched out his right hand and gave to Judas a golden sword, and as he gave it he addressed him thus:
16
"Take this holy sword, a gift from God, with which you will strike down your adversaries."
17
Encouraged by the words of Judas, so noble and so effective in arousing valor and awaking courage in the souls of the young, they determined not to carry on a campaign but to attack bravely, and to decide the matter by fighting hand to hand with all courage, because the city and the sanctuary and the temple were in danger.
18
Their concern for wives and children, and also for brothers and sisters and relatives, lay upon them less heavily; their greatest and first fear was for the consecrated sanctuary.
19
And those who had to remain in the city were in no little distress, being anxious over the encounter in the open country.
20
When all were now looking forward to the coming issue, and the enemy was already close at hand with their army drawn up for battle, the elephants strategically stationed and the cavalry deployed on the flanks,
21
Maccabeus, observing the masses that were in front of him and the varied supply of arms and the savagery of the elephants, stretched out his hands toward heaven and called upon the Lord who works wonders; for he knew that it is not by arms, but as the Lord decides, that he gains the victory for those who deserve it.
22
He called upon him in these words: "O Lord, you sent your angel in the time of King Hezekiah of Judea, and he killed fully one hundred eighty-five thousand in the camp of Sennacherib.
23
So now, O Sovereign of the heavens, send a good angel to spread terror and trembling before us.
24
By the might of your arm may these blasphemers who come against your holy people be struck down." With these words he ended his prayer.