Catholic Public Domain Version

1 Maccabees 3:46-57 Catholic Public Domain Version (CPDV)

46. And they gathered together and came to Mizpah, opposite Jerusalem. For a place of prayer was in Mizpah, in the former Israel.

47. And they fasted on that day, and they clothed themselves with haircloth, and they placed ashes on their heads, and they tore their garments.

48. And they laid open the books of the law, in which the Gentiles searched for the likeness of their idols.

49. And they brought the priestly ornaments, and the first fruits and tithes, and they roused the Nazirites, who had fulfilled their days.

50. And they cried out with a loud voice toward heaven, saying: "What shall we do with these, and where shall we take them?

51. For your holy things have been trampled and defiled, and your priests have been in mourning and in humiliation.

52. And behold, the Nations gather together against us, to destroy us. You know what they intend against us.

53. How shall we be able to stand before their face, unless you, O God, assist us?"

54. Then they sounded the trumpets with a loud call.

55. And after this, Judas appointed commanders over the people: over thousands, and over hundreds, and over fifties, and over tens.

56. And he said to those who were building houses, or who had betrothed wives, who were planting vineyards, or who were terribly afraid, that they should return, each one to his own house, according to the law.

57. So they moved the camp, and relocated to the south of Emmaus.