3:56 But as for such as were building houses, or had betrothed wives,
or were planting vineyards, or were fearful, those he commanded that
they should return, every man to his own house, according to the law.
3:57 So the camp removed, and pitched upon the south side of Emmaus.
3:58 And Judas said, arm yourselves, and be valiant men, and see that
ye be in readiness against the morning, that ye may fight with these
nations, that are assembled together against us to destroy us and our
sanctuary:
3:59 For it is better for us to die in battle, than to behold the
calamities of our people and our sanctuary.
3:60 Nevertheless, as the will of God is in heaven, so let him do.
4:1 Then took Gorgias five thousand footmen, and a thousand of the best
horsemen, and removed out of the camp by night;
4:2 To the end he might rush in upon the camp of the Jews, and smite
them suddenly. And the men of the fortress were his guides.
4:3 Now when Judas heard thereof he himself removed, and the valiant
men with him, that he might smite the king’s army which was at Emmaus,
4:4 While as yet the forces were dispersed from the camp.
4:5 In the mean season came Gorgias by night into the camp of Judas:
and when he found no man there, he sought them in the mountains: for
said he, These fellows flee from us
4:6 But as soon as it was day, Judas shewed himself in the plain with
three thousand men, who nevertheless had neither armour nor swords to
their minds.
4:7 And they saw the camp of the heathen, that it was strong and well
harnessed, and compassed round about with horsemen; and these were
expert of war.
4:8 Then said Judas to the men that were with him, Fear ye not their
multitude, neither be ye afraid of their assault.
4:9 Remember how our fathers were delivered in the Red sea, when
Pharaoh pursued them with an army.
4:10 Now therefore let us cry unto heaven, if peradventure the Lord
will have mercy upon us, and remember the covenant of our fathers, and
destroy this host before our face this day:
4:11 That so all the heathen may know that there is one who delivereth
and saveth Israel.
4:12 Then the strangers lifted up their eyes, and saw them coming over
against them.
4:13 Wherefore they went out of the camp to battle; but they that were
with Judas sounded their trumpets.
4:14 So they joined battle, and the heathen being discomfited fled into
the plain.
4:15 Howbeit all the hindmost of them were slain with the sword: for
they pursued them unto Gazera, and unto the plains of Idumea, and
Azotus, and Jamnia, so that there were slain of them upon a three
thousand men.
4:16 This done, Judas returned again with his host from pursuing them,
4:17 And said to the people, Be not greedy of the spoil inasmuch as
there is a battle before us,
4:18 And Gorgias and his host are here by us in the mountain: but stand
ye now against our enemies, and overcome them, and after this ye may
boldly take the spoils.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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