18. They were not so concerned about their own families and relatives as they were about their sacred Temple.
19. And the people who had to stay in Jerusalem were deeply concerned about how a battle on open ground would turn out.
20. Everyone was waiting to see who would win the battle. The enemy troops were already moving forward, with their cavalry on each side of them, and their elephants placed in strategic positions.
21. Judas Maccabaeus looked at the huge enemy force, the variety of their weapons, and their fierce elephants. Then he raised his hands towards heaven and prayed to the Lord, who works miracles, because he knew that the Lord gives victory to those who deserve it, not to those who have a strong army.
22. Judas said: “Lord, when Hezekiah was king of Judah, you sent your angel, who killed 185,000 of Sennacherib's men.
23. Now once again, Lord of heaven, send your good angel to make our enemies shake and tremble with fear.
24. By your great power, destroy these people who have slandered you and have come out to attack your chosen people.” So Judas ended his prayer.
25. Nicanor and his army moved forward to the sound of trumpets and battle-songs,
26. but Judas and his men went into battle calling on God for help.
27. So by fighting with their hands and praying to God in their hearts, the Jews killed more than 35,000 of the enemy. How grateful they were for the help they had received from God!
28. When the battle was over and they were going home celebrating their victory, they noticed Nicanor in full armour lying dead on the battlefield.
29. Then with loud shouts they praised the Lord in their native language.
30. Judas Maccabaeus, who had always fought with all his body and soul for his own people, never losing the patriotism of his youth, ordered his men to cut off Nicanor's head and right arm and to take them to Jerusalem.
31. When they arrived in the city, he called together all the people, stationed the priests before the altar, and sent for the men in the fort.