1 Maccabees 5:1–68

¹ It came to pass, when the Gentiles all around heard that the altar had been rebuilt and the sanctuary dedicated as before, they were exceedingly angry. (WEB) ² They took counsel to destroy the race of Jacob that was in the midst of them, and they began to kill and destroy among the people. (WEB) ³ Judas fought against the children of Esau in Idumaea at Akrabattine, because they besieged Israel. He struck them with a great slaughter, humbled them, and took their spoils. (WEB) ⁴ He remembered the wickedness of the children of Baean, who were a snare and a stumbling block to the people, lying in wait for them on the highways. (WEB) ⁵ They were shut up by him in the towers. He encamped against them, and destroyed them utterly, and burned with fire the towers of the place with all who were in them. (WEB) ⁶ He passed over to the children of Ammon, and found a mighty band and many people, with Timotheus for their leader. (WEB) ⁷ He fought many battles with them, and they were defeated before his face. He struck them, (WEB) ⁸ and took possession of Jazer and its villages, and returned again into Judea. (WEB) ⁹ The Gentiles who were in Gilead gathered themselves together against the Israelites who were on their borders, to destroy them. They fled to the stronghold of Dathema, (WEB) ¹⁰ and sent letters to Judas and his kindred, saying, “The Gentiles who are around us are gathered together against us to destroy us. (WEB) ¹¹ They are preparing to come and get possession of the stronghold where we fled for refuge, and Timotheus is the leader of their army. (WEB) ¹² Now therefore come and deliver us from their hand, for many of us have fallen. (WEB) ¹³ All our kindred who were in the land of Tubias have been put to death. They have carried their wives, their children, and their stuff into captivity. They destroyed about a thousand men there.” (WEB) ¹⁴ While the letters were still being read, behold, other messengers came from Galilee with their clothes torn, bringing a similar report, (WEB) ¹⁵ saying, “People of Ptolemais, of Tyre, of Sidon, and all Galilee of the Gentiles have gathered together to destroy us.” (WEB) ¹⁶ Now when Judas and the people heard these words, a great congregation assembled together to determine what they should do for their kindred who were in distress and under attack. (WEB) ¹⁷ Judas said to Simon his brother, “Choose men and go deliver your kindred who are in Galilee, but Jonathan my brother and I will go into the land of Gilead.” (WEB) ¹⁸ He left Joseph the son of Zacharias, and Azarias, as leaders of the people, with the remnant of the army, in Judea, to guard it. (WEB) ¹⁹ He commanded them, saying, “Take charge of this people, and fight no battle with the Gentiles until we return.” (WEB) ²⁰ Then three thousand men… (WEB) ²¹ … (WEB)