1 Maccabees 4:1-25

1Then took Gorgias five thousand footmen, and a thousand of the best horsemen, and removed out of the camp by night; 2To the end he might rush in upon the camp of the Jews, and smite them suddenly. And the men of the fortress were his guides. 3Now when Judas heard thereof he himself removed, and the valiant men with him, that he might smite the kingšs army which was at Emmaus, 4While as yet the forces were dispersed from the camp. 5In the mean season came Gorgias by night into the camp of Judas: and when he found no man there, he sought them in the mountains: for said he, These fellows flee from us 6But as soon as it was day, Judas shewed himself in the plain with three thousand men, who nevertheless had neither armour nor swords to their minds. 7And they saw the camp of the heathen, that it was strong and well harnessed, and compassed round about with horsemen; and these were expert of war. 8Then said Judas to the men that were with him, Fear ye not their multitude, neither be ye afraid of their assault. 9Remember how our fathers were delivered in the Red sea, when Pharaoh pursued them with an army. 10Now therefore let us cry unto heaven, if peradventure the Lord will have mercy upon us, and remember the covenant of our fathers, and destroy this host before our face this day: 11That so all the heathen may know that there is one who delivereth and saveth Israel. 12Then the strangers lifted up their eyes, and saw them coming over against them. 13Wherefore they went out of the camp to battle; but they that were with Judas sounded their trumpets. 14So they joined battle, and the heathen being discomfited fled into the plain. 15Howbeit all the hindmost of them were slain with the sword: for they pursued them unto Gazera, and unto the plains of Idumea, and Azotus, and Jamnia, so that there were slain of them upon a three thousand men. 16This done, Judas returned again with his host from pursuing them, 17And said to the people, Be not greedy of the spoil inasmuch as there is a battle before us, 18And Gorgias and his host are here by us in the mountain: but stand ye now against our enemies, and overcome them, and after this ye may boldly take the spoils. 19As Judas was yet speaking these words, there appeared a part of them looking out of the mountain: 20Who when they perceived that the Jews had put their host to flight and were burning the tents; for the smoke that was seen declared what was done: 21When therefore they perceived these things, they were sore afraid, and seeing also the host of Judas in the plain ready to fight, 22They fled every one into the land of strangers. 23Then Judas returned to spoil the tents, where they got much gold, and silver, and blue silk, and purple of the sea, and great riches. 24After this they went home, and sung a song of thanksgiving, and praised the Lord in heaven: because it is good, because his mercy endureth forever. 25Thus Israel had a great deliverance that day.

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.