Part 615 (2/2)

7:22. And they that disturbed the people resorted to him, and they got the land of Juda into their power, and did much hurt in Israel.

7:23. And Judas saw all the evils that Alcimus, and they that were with him, did to the children of Israel, much more than the Gentiles.

7:24. And he went out into all the coasts of Judea round about, and took vengeance upon the men that had revolted, and they ceased to go forth any more into the country.

7:25. And Alcimus saw that Judas and they that were with him, prevailed: and he knew that he could not stand against them, and he went back to the king, and accused them of many crimes.

7:26. And the king sent Nicanor, one of his princ.i.p.al lords, who was a great enemy to Israel: and he commanded him to destroy the people.

7:27. And Nicanor came to Jerusalem with a great army, and he sent to Judas and to his brethren deceitfully, with friendly words,

7:28. Saying: Let there be no fighting between me and you: I will come with a few men, to see your faces with peace.

7:29. And he came to Judas, and they saluted one another peaceably: and the enemies were prepared to take away Judas by force.

7:30. And the thing was known to Judas that he was come to him with deceit: and he was much afraid of him, and would not see his face any more.

7:31. And Nicanor knew that his counsel was discovered: and he went out to fight against Judas, near Capharsalama.

7:32. And there fell of Nicanor's army almost five thousand men, and they fled into the city of David.

7:33. And after this Nicanor went up into mount Sion: and some of the priests and the people came out to salute him peaceably, and to shew him the holocausts that were offered for the king.

7:34. But he mocked and despised them, and abused them: and he spoke proudly,

7:35. And swore in anger, saying: Unless Judas and his army be delivered into my hands, as soon as ever I return in peace, I will burn this house. And he went out in a great rage.

7:36. And the priests went in, and stood before the face of the altar and the temple: and weeping, they said:

7:37. Thou, O Lord, hast chosen this house for thy name to be called upon therein, that it might be a house of prayer and supplication for thy people.

7:38. Be avenged of this man, and his army, and let them fall by the sword: remember their blasphemies, and suffer them not to continne any longer.

7:39. Then Nicanor went out from Jerusalem, and encamped near to Bethoron: and an army of Syria joined him.

7:40. But Judas pitched in Adarsa with three thousand men: and Judas prayed, and said:

7:41. O Lord, when they that were sent by king Sennacherib blasphemed thee, an angel went out, and slew of them a hundred and eighty-five thousand:

7:42. Even so destroy this army in our sight today and let the rest know that he hath spoken ill against thy sanctuary: and judge thou him according to his wickedness.

7:43. And the armies joined battle on the thirteenth day of the month, Adar: and the army of Nicanor was defeated, and he himself was first slain in the battle.

7:44. And when his army saw that Nicanor was slain they threw away their weapons, and fled:

7:45. And they pursued after them one day's journey from Adazer, even till ye come to Gazara, and they sounded the trumpets after them with signals.

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