21
Maccabeus, perceiving the hosts that were before 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
And he called upon him in these words: "O Lord, thou didst send thy angel in the time of Hezekiah king of Judea, and he slew fully a hundred and eighty-five thousand in the camp of Sennacherib.
23
So now, O Sovereign of the heavens, send a good angel to carry terror and trembling before us.
24
By the might of thy arm may these blasphemers who come against thy holy people be struck down." With these words he ended his prayer.
25
Nicanor and his men advanced with trumpets and battle songs;
26
and Judas and his men met the enemy in battle with invocation to God and prayers.
27
So, fighting with their hands and praying to God in their hearts, they laid low no less than thirty-five thousand men, and were greatly gladdened by God's manifestation.
28
When the action was over and they were returning with joy, they recognized Nicanor, lying dead, in full armor.
29
Then there was shouting and tumult, and they blessed the Sovereign Lord in the language of their fathers.
30
And the man who was ever in body and soul the defender of his fellow citizens, the man who maintained his youthful good will toward his countrymen, ordered them to cut off Nicanor's head and arm and carry them to Jerusalem.
31
And when he arrived there and had called his countrymen together and stationed the priests before the altar, he sent for those who were in the citadel.