18
For they, said he, trust in their weapons and boldness; but our confidence is in the Almighty, who at a beck can cast down both those who come against us and also all the world.
19
Moreover, he recounted unto them what help their forefathers had found and how they were delivered, when under Sennacherib a hundred fourscore and five thousand perished.
20
And he told them of the battle that they had in Babylon with the Galatians, how they came but eight thousand in all to the business, with four thousand Macedonians; and that, the Macedonians being perplexed, the eight thousand destroyed a hundred and twenty thousand, because of the help that they had from heaven, and so received a great booty.
21
Thus when he had made them bold with these words, and ready to die for the laws and the country, he divided his army into four parts
22
and joined with himself his own brethren, leaders of each band, to wit, Simon and Joseph and Jonathan, giving each one fifteen hundred men.
23
Also he appointed Eleazar to read the holy book. And when he had given them this watchword, The help of God, leading the first band himself, he joined battle with Nicanor.
24
And by the help of the Almighty, they slew above nine thousand of their enemies, and wounded and maimed the most part of Nicanor's host, and so put all to flight,
25
and took the money of those who came to buy them, and pursued them far. But lacking time, they returned;
26
for it was the day before the Sabbath, and therefore they would no longer pursue them.
27
So when they had gathered their enemies' arms together and despoiled their enemies, they occupied themselves about the Sabbath, yielding exceeding praise and thanks to the Lord, who had preserved them unto that day, which was the beginning of mercy distilling upon them.
28
And after the Sabbath, when they had given part of the spoils to the maimed and the widows and orphans, the residue they divided among themselves and their servants.