Then Lysias chose Ptolemee the son of Dorymenes, Nicanor, and Gorgias, mighty men of the king's friends:
[39] And with them he sent forty thousand footmen, and seven thousand horsemen, to go into the land of Juda, and to destroy it, as the king commanded.
[40] So they went forth with all their power, and came and pitched by Emmaus in the plain country.
[41] And the merchants of the country, hearing the fame of them, took silver and gold very much, with servants, and came into the camp to buy the children of Israel for slaves: a power also of Syria and of the land of the Philistines joined themselves unto them.
[42] Now when Judas and his brethren saw that miseries were multiplied, and that the forces did encamp themselves in their borders: for they knew how the king had given commandment to destroy the people, and utterly abolish them;
[43] They said one to another, Let us restore the decayed fortune of our people, and let us fight for our people and the sanctuary.
[44] Then was the congregation gathered together, that they might be ready for battle, and that they might pray, and ask mercy and compassion.
[45] Now Jerusalem lay void as a wilderness, there was none of her children that went in or out: the sanctuary also was trodden down, and aliens kept the strong hold; the heathen had their habitation in that place; and joy was taken from Jacob, and the pipe with the harp ceased.
[46] Wherefore the Israelites assembled themselves together, and came to Maspha, over against Jerusalem; for in Maspha was the place where they prayed aforetime in Israel.
[47] Then they fasted that day, and put on sackcloth, and cast ashes upon their heads, and rent their clothes,
[48] And laid open the book of the law, wherein the heathen had sought to paint the likeness of their images.
[49] They brought also the priests' garments, and the firstfruits, and the tithes: and the Nazarites they stirred up, who had accomplished their days.
[50] Then cried they with a loud voice toward heaven, saying, What shall we do with these, and whither shall we carry them away?
[51] For thy sanctuary is trodden down and profaned, and thy priests are in heaviness, and brought low.
[52] And lo, the heathen are assembled together against us to destroy us: what things they imagine against us, thou knowest.
[53] How shall we be able to stand against them, except thou, O God, be our help?
[54] Then sounded they with trumpets, and cried with a loud voice.
[55] And after this Judas ordained captains over the people, even captains over thousands, and over hundreds, and over fifties, and over tens.
[56] But as for such as were building houses, or had betrothed wives, or were planting vineyards, or were fearful, those he commanded that they should return, every man to his own house, according to the law.
[57] So the camp removed, and pitched upon the south side of Emmaus.
[58] And Judas said, arm yourselves, and be valiant men, and see that ye be in readiness against the morning, that ye may fight with these nations, that are assembled together against us to destroy us and our sanctuary:
[59] For it is better for us to die in battle, than to behold the calamities of our people and our sanctuary.
[60] Nevertheless, as the will of God is in heaven, so let him do.

1Mac.4

[1] Then took Gorgias five thousand footmen, and a thousand of the best horsemen, and removed out of the camp by night;
[2] To 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.
[3] Now when Judas heard thereof he himself removed, and the valiant men with him, that he might smite the king's army which was at Emmaus,
[4] While as yet the forces were dispersed from the camp.
[5] In 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
[6] But 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.
[7] And 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.
[8] Then said Judas to the men that were with him, Fear ye not their multitude, neither be ye afraid of their assault.
[9] Remember how our fathers were delivered in the Red sea, when Pharaoh pursued them with an army.
[10] Now 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:
[11] That so all the heathen may know that there is one who delivereth and saveth Israel.
[12] Then the strangers lifted up their eyes, and saw them coming over against them.
[13] Wherefore they went out of the camp to battle; but they that were with Judas sounded their trumpets.
[14] So they joined battle, and the heathen being discomfited fled into the plain.
[15] Howbeit 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.
[16] This done, Judas returned