Chapter 3 _{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.}

Chapter 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,}