46. Then Judas and his men assembled and marched to Mizpah, opposite Jerusalem, because the people of Israel had previously had a place of worship there.
47. In deep mourning, they fasted all that day, put on sackcloth, threw ashes on their heads, and tore their clothes.
48. The Gentiles would have consulted their idols in such a situation, but the Israelites unrolled the book of the Law to search for God's guidance.
49. They brought the priests' robes, the offerings of the first grain, and the tithes, and then they brought in some Nazirites who had completed their vows.
50. The whole community prayed, “Lord, what shall we do with these things? Where shall we take them,
51. now that your holy Temple has been trampled and profaned by Gentiles, and your priests mourn in disgrace?
52. The Gentiles have come to attack and destroy us. You know what they plan to do!
53. If you don't help us, how can we stand up against them?”
54. Then they blew trumpets and shouted loudly.
55. After that, Judas divided his men into groups of ten, fifty, a hundred, and a thousand, placing officers in charge of each group.
56. Then, in obedience to the Law, he sent home everyone who had recently been married, or built a house, or planted a vineyard, as well as anyone who was afraid.
57. Finally, the army marched out and took up positions south of Emmaus,
58. where Judas said to them: “Prepare yourselves for battle and be courageous! Be ready early tomorrow morning to fight these Gentiles who have joined forces to attack us and destroy us and our Temple.
59. It is better for us to die fighting than to stand idly by and watch the destruction of our nation and our Temple.
60. But the Lord will do what he pleases.”