12:43 And when he had made a gathering throughout the company to the sum of two thousand drachms of silver, he sent it to Jerusalem to offer a sin offering, doing therein very well and honestly, in that he was mindful of the resurrection: 12:44 For if he had not hoped that they that were slain should have risen again, it had been superfluous and vain to pray for the dead. 12:45 And also in that he perceived that there was great favour laid up for those that died godly, it was an holy and good thought. Whereupon he made a reconciliation for the dead, that they might be delivered from sin. 13:1 In the hundred forty and ninth year it was told Judas, that Antiochus Eupator was coming with a great power into Judea, 13:2 And with him Lysias his protector, and ruler of his affairs, having either of them a Grecian power of footmen, an hundred and ten thousand, and horsemen five thousand and three hundred, and elephants two and twenty, and three hundred chariots armed with hooks. 13:3 Menelaus also joined himself with them, and with great dissimulation encouraged Antiochus, not for the safeguard of the country, but because he thought to have been made governor. 13:4 But the King of kings moved Antiochus’ mind against this wicked wretch, and Lysias informed the king that this man was the cause of all mischief, so that the king commanded to bring him unto Berea, and to put him to death, as the manner is in that place. 13:5 Now there was in that place a tower of fifty cubits high, full of ashes, and it had a round instrument which on every side hanged down into the ashes. 13:6 And whosoever was condemned of sacrilege, or had committed any other grievous crime, there did all men thrust him unto death. 13:7 Such a death it happened that wicked man to die, not having so much as burial in the earth; and that most justly: 13:8 For inasmuch as he had committed many sins about the altar, whose fire and ashes were holy, he received his death in ashes. 13:9 Now the king came with a barbarous and haughty mind to do far worse to the Jews, than had been done in his father’s time. 13:10 Which things when Judas perceived, he commanded the multitude to call upon the Lord night and day, that if ever at any other time, he would now also help them, being at the point to be put from their law, from their country, and from the holy temple: 13:11 And that he would not suffer the people, that had even now been but a little refreshed, to be in subjection to the blasphemous nations. 13:12 So when they had all done this together, and besought the merciful Lord with weeping and fasting, and lying flat upon the ground three days long, Judas, having exhorted them, commanded they should be in a readiness. 13:13 And Judas, being apart with the elders, determined, before the king’s host should enter into Judea, and get the city, to go forth and try the matter in fight by the help of the Lord.