Chapter 6 _{18 About this time they that were in the tower shut up the Israelites round about the sanctuary, and sought always their hurt, and the strengthening of the heathen.19 Wherefore Judas, purposing to destroy them, called all the people together to besiege them.20 So they came together, and besieged them in the hundred and fiftieth year, and he made mounts for shot against them, and other engines.21 Howbeit certain of them that were besieged got forth, unto whom some ungodly men of Israel joined themselves:22 And they went unto the king, and said, How long will it be ere thou execute judgment, and avenge our brethren?23 We have been willing to serve thy father, and to do as he would have us, and to obey his commandments;24 For which cause they of our nation besiege the tower, and are alienated from us: moreover as many of us as they could light on they slew, and spoiled our inheritance.25 Neither have they stretched out their hand against us only, but also against their borders.26 And, behold, this day are they besieging the tower at Jerusalem, to take it: the sanctuary also and Bethsura have they fortified.27 Wherefore if thou dost not prevent them quickly, they will do the greater things than these, neither shalt thou be able to rule them.28 Now when the king heard this, he was angry, and gathered together all his friends, and the captains of his army, and those that had charge of the horse.29 There came also unto him from other kingdoms, and from isles of the sea, bands of hired soldiers.30 So that the number of his army was an hundred thousand footmen, and twenty thousand horsemen, and two and thirty elephants exercised in battle.31 These went through Idumea, and pitched against Bethsura, which they assaulted many days, making engines of war; but they of Bethsura came out, and burned them with fire, and fought valiantly.32 Upon this Judas removed from the tower, and pitched in Bathzacharias, over against the king's camp.33 Then the king rising very early marched fiercely with his host toward Bathzacharias, where his armies made them ready to battle, and sounded the trumpets.34 And to the end they might provoke the elephants to fight, they shewed them the blood of grapes and mulberries.35 Moreover they divided the beasts among the armies, and for every elephant they appointed a thousand men, armed with coats of mail, and with helmets of brass on their heads; and beside this, for every beast were ordained five hundred horsemen of the best.36 These were ready at every occasion: wheresoever the beast was, and whithersoever the beast went, they went also, neither departed they from him.}