Chapter 4 _{53 And offered sacrifice according to the law upon the new altar of burnt offerings, which they had made.54 Look, at what time and what day the heathen had profaned it, even in that was it dedicated with songs, and citherns, and harps, and cymbals.55 Then all the people fell upon their faces, worshipping and praising the God of heaven, who had given them good success.56 And so they kept the dedication of the altar eight days and offered burnt offerings with gladness, and sacrificed the sacrifice of deliverance and praise.57 They decked also the forefront of the temple with crowns of gold, and with shields; and the gates and the chambers they renewed, and hanged doors upon them.58 Thus was there very great gladness among the people, for that the reproach of the heathen was put away.59 Moreover Judas and his brethren with the whole congregation of Israel ordained, that the days of the dedication of the altar should be kept in their season from year to year by the space of eight days, from the five and twentieth day of the month Casleu, with mirth and gladness.60 At that time also they builded up the mount Sion with high walls and strong towers round about, lest the Gentiles should come and tread it down as they had done before.61 And they set there a garrison to keep it, and fortified Bethsura to preserve it; that the people might have a defence against Idumea.}

Chapter 5 _{1 Now when the nations round about heard that the altar was built and the sanctuary renewed as before, it displeased them very much.2 Wherefore they thought to destroy the generation of Jacob that was among them, and thereupon they began to slay and destroy the people.3 Then Judas fought against the children of Esau in Idumea at Arabattine, because they besieged Gael: and he gave them a great overthrow, and abated their courage, and took their spoils.4 Also he remembered the injury of the children of Bean, who had been a snare and an offence unto the people, in that they lay in wait for them in the ways.5 He shut them up therefore in the towers, and encamped against them, and destroyed them utterly, and burned the towers of that place with fire, and all that were therein.6 Afterward he passed over to the children of Ammon, where he found a mighty power, and much people, with Timotheus their captain.7 So he fought many battles with them, till at length they were discomfited before him; and he smote them.8 And when he had taken Jazar, with the towns belonging thereto, he returned into Judea.9 Then the heathen that were at Galaad assembled themselves together against the Israelites that were in their quarters, to destroy them; but they fled to the fortress of Dathema.10 And sent letters unto Judas and his brethren, The heathen that are round about us are assembled together against us to destroy us:}