10. But Judas replied, "Don’t even consider running from them. If our time has come, then let’s die bravely for our people. Let’s leave no reason to question our honor."
11. Then the enemy army marched out from the camp and took its positions to fight. The cavalry was divided into two companies. The slingers and the archers went ahead of the army, as did all the best warriors.
12. Bacchides was on the right wing. Flanked by the two companies, the military force advanced to the sound of the trumpets. Those with Judas also blew their trumpets.
13. The earth shook from the noise of the armies. And the battle raged from morning till evening.
14. Judas saw that Bacchides and the strength of his army were on the right. Then Judas’ most courageous soldiers went with him.
15. They crushed the right wing and pursued them as far as Mount Azotus.
16. When those on the left wing saw that the right wing had been crushed, they turned and followed close behind Judas and his men.
17. The battle became frantic, and many on both sides were wounded and died.
18. Judas himself died, and the rest fled.
19. Then Jonathan and Simon took their brother Judas, buried him in their ancestral tomb at Modein,
20. and wept for him. All Israel expressed deep sorrow for him and mourned for many days. They said,
21. "What a mighty one has fallen, saving Israel!"
22. Now the rest of Judas’ achievements—his wars, the brave things that he did, his greatness—haven’t been recorded, but they were many.
23. After Judas’ death, renegades appeared throughout Israel. All the immoral people reappeared.
24. There was also a very great famine at that time, and the country went over to the enemy’s side.
25. Bacchides chose the godless and put them in charge of the country.
26. They hunted down Judas’ friends and brought them to Bacchides. He took vengeance on them and treated them terribly.
27. So there was great distress in Israel, the worst since the time when prophets ceased to appear among them.