56. Joseph, son of Zechariah, and Azariah, the leaders of the army, heard about the brave deeds and the fighting that they were doing.
57. They said, “Let us also make a name for ourselves by going out and fighting against the Gentiles around us.”
58. They gave orders to those of their army who were with them, and marched against Jamnia.
59. But Gorgias and his men came out of the city to meet them in battle.
60. Joseph and Azariah were routed and were pursued to the frontiers of Judea, and about two thousand Israelites fell that day.
61. It was a great setback for the people, because they had not obeyed Judas and his brothers, thinking that they would do brave deeds.
62. But they were not of the family through whom Israel’s deliverance was given.
63. The valiant Judas and his brothers were greatly honored in all Israel and among all the Gentiles, wherever their name was heard;
64. and people gathered about them and praised them.
65. Then Judas and his brothers went out and attacked the Edomites in the land toward the south; he took Hebron and its villages, and he destroyed its strongholds and burned the towers around it.
66. He then set out for the land of the foreigners and passed through Marisa.