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Chapter 13 13 And Judas, being apart with the elders, determined, before the king's host should enter into Judea, and get the city, to go forth and try the matter in fight by the help of the Lord.14 So when he had committed all to the Creator of the world, and exhorted his soldiers to fight manfully, even unto death, for the laws, the temple, the city, the country, and the commonwealth, he camped by Modin:15 And having given the watchword to them that were about him, Victory is of God; with the most valiant and choice young men he went in into the king's tent by night, and slew in the camp about four thousand men, and the chiefest of the elephants, with all that were upon him.16 And at last they filled the camp with fear and tumult, and departed with good success.17 This was done in the break of the day, because the protection of the Lord did help him.18 Now when the king had taken a taste of the manliness of the Jews, he went about to take the holds by policy,19 And marched toward Bethsura, which was a strong hold of the Jews: but he was put to flight, failed, and lost of his men:20 For Judas had conveyed unto them that were in it such things as were necessary.21 But Rhodocus, who was in the Jews' host, disclosed the secrets to the enemies; therefore he was sought out, and when they had gotten him, they put him in prison.22 The king treated with them in Bethsum the second time, gave his hand, took their's, departed, fought with Judas, was overcome;23 Heard that Philip, who was left over the affairs in Antioch, was desperately bent, confounded, intreated the Jews, submitted himself, and sware to all equal conditions, agreed with them, and offered sacrifice, honoured the temple, and dealt kindly with the place,24 And accepted well of Maccabeus, made him principal governor from Ptolemais unto the Gerrhenians;25 Came to Ptolemais: the people there were grieved for the covenants; for they stormed, because they would make their covenants void:26 Lysias went up to the judgment seat, said as much as could be in defence of the cause, persuaded, pacified, made them well affected, returned to Antioch. Thus it went touching the king's coming and departing.

Chapter 14 1 After three years was Judas informed, that Demetrius the son of Seleucus, having entered by the haven of Tripolis with a great power and navy,2 Had taken the country, and killed Antiochus, and Lysias his protector.3 Now one Alcimus, who had been high priest, and had defiled himself wilfully in the times of their mingling with the Gentiles, seeing that by no means he could save himself, nor have any more access to the holy altar,4 Came to king Demetrius in the hundred and one and fiftieth year, presenting unto him a crown of gold, and a palm, and also of the boughs which were used solemnly in the temple: and so that day he held his peace.5 Howbeit having gotten opportunity to further his foolish enterprize, and being called into counsel by Demetrius, and asked how the Jews stood affected, and what they intended, he answered thereunto: