the governors of the people together, and accused those men, that they had sold their brethren for money, and set their enemies free to fight against them.
[22] So he slew those that were found traitors, and immediately took the two castles.
[23] And having good success with his weapons in all things he took in hand, he slew in the two holds more than twenty thousand.
[24] Now Timotheus, whom the Jews had overcome before, when he had gathered a great multitude of foreign forces, and horses out of Asia not a few, came as though he would take Jewry by force of arms.
[25] But when he drew near, they that were with Maccabeus turned themselves to pray unto God, and sprinkled earth upon their heads, and girded their loins with sackcloth,
[26] And fell down at the foot of the altar, and besought him to be merciful to them, and to be an enemy to their enemies, and an adversary to their adversaries, as the law declareth.
[27] So after the prayer they took their weapons, and went on further from the city: and when they drew near to their enemies, they kept by themselves.
[28] Now the sun being newly risen, they joined both together; the one part having together with their virtue their refuge also unto the Lord for a pledge of their success and victory: the other side making their rage leader of their battle
[29] But when the battle waxed strong, there appeared unto the enemies from heaven five comely men upon horses, with bridles of gold, and two of them led the Jews,
[30] And took Maccabeus betwixt them, and covered him on every side weapons, and kept him safe, but shot arrows and lightnings against the enemies: so that being confounded with blindness, and full of trouble, they were killed.
[31] And there were slain of footmen twenty thousand and five hundred, and six hundred horsemen.
[32] As for Timotheus himself, he fled into a very strong hold, called Gawra, where Chereas was governor.
[33] But they that were with Maccabeus laid siege against the fortress courageously four days.
[34] And they that were within, trusting to the strength of the place, blasphemed exceedingly, and uttered wicked words.
[35] Nevertheless upon the fifth day early twenty young men of Maccabeus' company, inflamed with anger because of the blasphemies, assaulted the wall manly, and with a fierce courage killed all that they met withal.
[36] Others likewise ascending after them, whiles they were busied with them that were within, burnt the towers, and kindling fires burnt the blasphemers alive; and others broke open the gates, and, having received in the rest of the army, took the city,
[37] And killed Timotheus, that was hid in a certain pit, and Chereas his brother, with Apollophanes.
[38] When this was done, they praised the Lord with psalms and thanksgiving, who had done so great things for Israel, and given them the victory.

2Mac.11

[1] Not long after the, Lysias the king's protector and cousin, who also managed the affairs, took sore displeasure for the things that were done.
[2] And when he had gathered about fourscore thousand with all the horsemen, he came against the Jews, thinking to make the city an habitation of the Gentiles,
[3] And to make a gain of the temple, as of the other chapels of the heathen, and to set the high priesthood to sale every year:
[4] Not at all considering the power of God but puffed up with his ten thousands of footmen, and his thousands of horsemen, and his fourscore elephants.
[5] So he came to Judea, and drew near to Bethsura, which was a strong town, but distant from Jerusalem about five furlongs, and he laid sore siege unto it.
[6] Now when they that were with Maccabeus heard that he besieged the holds, they and all the people with lamentation and tears besought the Lord that he would send a good angel to deliver Israel.
[7] Then Maccabeus himself first of all took weapons, exhorting the other that they would jeopard themselves together with him to help their brethren: so they went forth together with a willing mind.
[8] And as they were at Jerusalem, there appeared before them on horseback one in white clothing, shaking his armour of gold.
[9] Then they praised the merciful God all together, and took heart, insomuch that they were ready not only to fight with men, but with most cruel beasts, and to pierce through walls of iron.
[10] Thus they marched forward in their armour, having an helper from heaven: for the Lord was merciful unto them
[11] And giving a charge upon their enemies like lions, they slew eleven thousand footmen, and sixteen hundred horsemen, and put all the other to flight.
[12] Many of them also being wounded escaped naked; and Lysias himself fled away shamefully, and so escaped.
[13] Who, as he was a man of understanding, casting with himself what loss he had had, and considering that the Hebrews could not be overcome, because the Almighty God helped them, he sent unto them,
[14] And persuaded them to agree to all reasonable conditions, and promised that he would persuade the king that he must needs be a friend unto them.
[15] Then Maccabeus consented to all that Lysias desired, being careful of the common good; and whatsoever Maccabeus wrote unto Lysias concerning the Jews, the king granted