2:63 To day he shall be lifted up and to morrow he shall not be found, because he is returned into his dust, and his thought is come to nothing. 2:64 Wherefore, ye my sons, be valiant and shew yourselves men in the behalf of the law; for by it shall ye obtain glory. 2:65 And behold, I know that your brother Simon is a man of counsel, give ear unto him alway: he shall be a father unto you. 2:66 As for Judas Maccabeus, he hath been mighty and strong, even from his youth up: let him be your captain, and fight the battle of the people. 2:67 Take also unto you all those that observe the law, and avenge ye the wrong of your people. 2:68 Recompense fully the heathen, and take heed to the commandments of the law. 2:69 So he blessed them, and was gathered to his fathers. 2:70 And he died in the hundred forty and sixth year, and his sons buried him in the sepulchres of his fathers at Modin, and all Israel made great lamentation for him. 3:1 Then his son Judas, called Maccabeus, rose up in his stead. 3:2 And all his brethren helped him, and so did all they that held with his father, and they fought with cheerfulness the battle of Israel. 3:3 So he gat his people great honour, and put on a breastplate as a giant, and girt his warlike harness about him, and he made battles, protecting the host with his sword. 3:4 In his acts he was like a lion, and like a lion’s whelp roaring for his prey. 3:5 For He pursued the wicked, and sought them out, and burnt up those that vexed his people. 3:6 Wherefore the wicked shrunk for fear of him, and all the workers of iniquity were troubled, because salvation prospered in his hand. 3:7 He grieved also many kings, and made Jacob glad with his acts, and his memorial is blessed for ever. 3:8 Moreover he went through the cities of Juda, destroying the ungodly out of them, and turning away wrath from Israel: 3:9 So that he was renowned unto the utmost part of the earth, and he received unto him such as were ready to perish. 3:10 Then Apollonius gathered the Gentiles together, and a great host out of Samaria, to fight against Israel. 3:11 Which thing when Judas perceived, he went forth to meet him, and so he smote him, and slew him: many also fell down slain, but the rest fled. 3:12 Wherefore Judas took their spoils, and Apollonius’ sword also, and therewith he fought all his life long. 3:13 Now when Seron, a prince of the army of Syria, heard say that Judas had gathered unto him a multitude and company of the faithful to go out with him to war; 3:14 He said, I will get me a name and honour in the kingdom; for I will go fight with Judas and them that are with him, who despise the king’s commandment. 3:15 So he made him ready to go up, and there went with him a mighty host of the ungodly to help him, and to be avenged of the children of Israel. 3:16 And when he came near to the going up of Bethhoron, Judas went forth to meet him with a small company: