46. When they reached Ephron, a large and strongly fortified city along the way, they found it impossible to go around it on either the right or the left; they would have to march right through it.
47. But the people in the city shut them out and blocked up the gates with stones.
48. Then Judas sent them this peaceful message: “Let us cross your territory in order to reach our own; no one will harm you; we will only march through.” But they would not open to him.
49. So Judas ordered a proclamation to be made in the camp that everyone should take up positions where they were.