Bacchides is sent again into Judea: Judas fights against him with eight hundred men and is slain. Jonathan succeeds him and revenges the murder of his brother John. He fights against Bacchides. Alcimus dies miserably. Bacchides besieges Bethbessen. He is forced to raise the siege and leave the country. 9:1. In the mean time, when Demetrius heard that Nicanor and his army were fallen in battle, he sent again Bacchides and Alcimus into Judea; and the right wing of his army with them. 9:2. And they took the road that leadeth to Galgal, and they camped in Masaloth, which is in Arabella: and they made themselves masters of it, and slew many people. 9:3. In the first month of the hundred and fifty-second year they brought the army to Jerusalem: 9:4. And they arose and went to Berea, with twenty thousand men, and two thousand horsemen. 9:5. Now Judas had pitched his tents in Laisa, and three thousand chosen men with him: 9:6. And they saw the multitude of the army that they were many, and they were seized with great fear: and many withdrew themselves out of the camp, and there remained of them no more than eight hundred men. 9:7. And Judas saw that his army slipped away, and the battle pressed upon him, and his heart was cast down: because he had not time to gather them together, and he was discouraged. 9:8. Then he said to them that remained: Let us arise, and go against our enemies, if we may be able to fight against them. 9:9. But they dissuaded him, saying: We shall not be able, but let us save our lives now, and return to our brethren, and then we will fight against them: for we are but few. 9:10. Then Judas said: God forbid we should do this thing, and flee away from them: but if our time be come, let us die manfully for our brethren, and let us not stain our glory. 9:11. And the army removed out of the camp, and they stood over against them: and the horsemen were divided into two troops, and the slingers, and the archers, went before the army, and they that were in the front were all men of valour. 9:12. And Bacchides was in the right wing, and the legion drew near on two sides, and they sounded the trumpets: 9:13. And they also that were on Judas's side, even they also cried out, and the earth shook at the noise of the armies: and the battle was fought from morning even unto the evening. 9:14. And Judas perceived that the stronger part of the army of Bacchides was on the right side, and all the stout of heart came together with him: 9:15. And the right wing was discomfited by them, and he pursued them even to the mount Azotus. 9:16. And they that were in the left wing saw that the right wing was discomfited, and they followed after Judas, and them that were with him, at their back: 9:17. And the battle was hard fought, and there fell many wounded of the one side and of the other. 9:18. And Judas was slain, and the rest fled away.