3. Then Judas defeated in warfare the sons of Esau in Idumea, and those who were in Akrabattene, because they besieged the Israelites, and he struck them with a great scourging.
4. And he remembered the malice of the sons of Baean, who were a snare and a scandal to the people, lying in ambush for them in the way.
5. And they were trapped by him in the towers, and he took up a position near them, and he anathematized them, and he burned their towers with fire, along with all who were in them.
6. Then he crossed over to the sons of Ammon, and he found a strong hand, and an abundant people, and Timothy was their commander.
7. And he engaged in many battles with them, and they were crushed in their sight, and he struck them down.
8. And he seized the city of Jazer, and her sister cities, and he returned to Judea.
9. And the Gentiles, who were in Gilead, gathered together against the Israelites, who were within their borders, to take them away, and so they fled into the fortress of Dathema.
10. And they sent letters to Judas and his brothers, saying: "The Gentiles all around have been gathering together against us to carry us away.
11. And they are preparing to come and occupy the fortress into which we have fled. And Timothy is the commander of their army.
12. Now, therefore, come and rescue us from their hands, for many of us have fallen.
13. And all our brothers, who were in the places of Tob, have been put to death. And they have led away as captives their wives, and their children, and their spoils. And they have slain nearly a thousand men in that place."
14. And while they were still reading these letters, behold, there arrived from Galilee other messengers, with torn garments, who announced according to these words:
15. saying that those of Ptolemais and Tyre and Sidon have assembled against them, "and all of Galilee has been filled with foreigners, in order to consume us."
16. So then, when Judas and the people heard these words, a great assembly came together, to consider what they should do for their brothers who were in trouble and were being assailed by them.
17. And Judas said to Simon his brother: "Choose men for yourself, and go, and free your brothers in Galilee. But I and my brother Jonathan, will go into the country of Gilead."
18. And he left behind Joseph, son of Zachariah, and Azariah, as commanders of the people, with the remainder of the army, in Judea, to guard it.
19. And he instructed them, saying, "Take charge of this people, but do not go to war against the Gentiles, until we return."
20. Now three thousand men were divided to Simon, to go into Galilee, but eight thousand were divided to Judas, to go into the land of Gilead.