The fear of Judas then extended far across the land,
and the dread of his brethren, over all the heathen;
and all peoples said how nobly they fought.
Judea-land was then long without a king
in all these contests, but Judas defended them,
and afterwards his brethren, after his ending.
§ IV. I Macc. iii. 27 — iv. 54.
IV. Afterwards it was made known to king Antiochus
concerning Judas' victory, and he grew angry in his mood,
and sent then his army with a high-thane [nobleman],
named Lysias, to Judea-land.
In that army were forty thousand [foot],
and seven thousand [horse] well armed,
and they came with power to the Jews' kindred.
Judas then encouraged his companions with words,
and fasted one day, praying for assistance
from the Almighty God, that He would protect them,
and defend His holy temple against the heathen.
They went then, thus encouraged, towards the battle,
and Judas then again spake to all his companions —
'Be ye girt about strongly for this hard contest,
because that it is better for us, that we should die in battle
than see this misery upon our kindred thus,
and upon our sanctuary; but even as the heavenly God
will do concerning us, so let it be!
Be ye mindful how mightily He delivered
our fathers formerly against Pharaoh the king
in the Red Sea, wherein he sank to the bottom.
Let us call to the heavens, that God may help us,
and destroy this army, that the heathen may acknowledge