38 And Lysias chose kPtolemy the son ofk Dorymenes, and Nicanor, and Gorgias, mighty men of the king’s friends; 39 and with them he sent fortyl thousand footmen, and seven thousand horse, to go into the land of Judah, and to destroy it, according to the king’s command. 40 And theym removed with all their host, and came and pitched near Emmaus in the plain country. 41 And the merchants of the country heard tell of them, and took silver and gold exceeding much, together with fettersn, and came into the camp, to take the children of Israel as slaves. And there were added unto them troops from Syria and from the land of the Philistineso.

42 And Judas and his brethren saw that evils were multiplied, and that the forces (of the enemy) were encampingp in their borders; and theyq took knowledge of the king’sr commands which he had put forth (with a view) to bring about the destruction and annihilation of the people. 43 So they said, each man to his neighbour: ‘Let us raise up the ruins of our people, tand let us fight for our peoplet and the Holy Place.’ 44 And theu congregation was gathered together, so as to be ready for battle, and to pray and to ask for mercy and compassion.

45 And Jerusalem was uninhabited like a wilderness,

There was none of her offspring that went in vor went outv.

And the Sanctuary was trodden down,

And the sons of strangers (dwelt) in the citadel,

A lodging-place for Gentiles (it became);

And joy wwas taken awayw from Jacob,

And the pipe and the harp ceased.

46 And they gathered themselves together, and came to Mizpehx, over against Jerusalem; for in Mizpeh there had been aforetime a place of prayer for Israel. 47 And they fasted that day, and put on 48 sackcloth, and puty ashes upon their headsz, and rent their clothes. And they spread out the roll of the Law, (one of those) concerning which the Gentiles were wont to make search a bin order to depict upon thema likenesses of their idolsb. 49 And they brought the priestly garments, and the firstfruits, and the tithes; and they shavedc the Nazirites who had accomplished their days. 50 And they cried aloudd toward heaven, saying: ‘What shall we do with these men, and whither shall we carry them away? 51 Fore thy Holy Place is trodden down and defiled, and thy priests are in heaviness and brought low. 52 And, behold, the Gentiles are gathered together against us to destroy us; thou knowest what things they imagine against us. 53 How shall we be able to stand before them unless thou help us?’ 54 And they sounded with the trumpetsf, gand cried with a loud voiceg.

55 And after this Judas appointed leaders of the people, captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds, hand captains of fiftiesh, and captains of tens. 56 And he said to them that were building houses, and were betrothing wives, and were planting vineyards, and were fearful, that they should return, each man to his own house, according to the Lawi. 57 And the army removed, and encampedk on the south of Emmaus. 58 And Judas said: ‘Gird yourselves, land bel valiant men; and be ready on the morrow to fight against these Gentiles that are assembled together against us to destroy us, and our Holy Place; 59 for it is better for us to die min battlem than to look upon the evils (that have come) upon our nation and the Holy Place. 60 Nevertheless, as may be the will in heaven, nso shall he don.’

4:1–25. Victory of Judas over Gorgias.