11. Then the army of Bacchides moved out of camp and took its position for combat. The cavalry were divided into two squadrons, and the slingers and the archers came on ahead of the army, and in the front line were all the best warriors. Bacchides was on the right wing.
12. Flanked by the two squadrons, the phalanx attacked as they blew their trumpets. Those who were on Judas’ side also blew their trumpets.
13. The earth shook with the noise of the armies, and the battle raged from morning until evening.
14. When Judas saw that Bacchides was on the right, with the main force of his army, all the most stouthearted rallied to him,
15. and the right wing was crushed; Judas pursued them as far as the mountain slopes.
16. But when those on the left wing saw that the right wing was crushed, they closed in behind Judas and those with him.
17. The battle became intense, and many on both sides fell wounded.
18. Then Judas fell, and the rest fled.
19. Jonathan and Simon took their brother Judas and buried him in the tomb of their ancestors at Modein.
20. All Israel wept for him with great lamentation. They mourned for him many days, and they said,
21. “How the mighty one has fallen, the savior of Israel!”
22. The other acts of Judas, his battles, the brave deeds he performed, and his greatness have not been recorded; but they were very many.
23. After the death of Judas, the lawless raised their heads in every part of Israel, and all kinds of evildoers appeared.
24. In those days there was a very great famine, and the country deserted to them.
25. Bacchides chose renegades and made them masters of the country.
26. These sought out and hunted down the friends of Judas and brought them to Bacchides, who punished and derided them.
27. There was great tribulation in Israel, the like of which had not been since the time prophets ceased to appear among them.
28. Then all the friends of Judas came together and said to Jonathan:
29. “Ever since your brother Judas died, there has been no one like him to lead us against our enemies, both Bacchides and those of our nation who are hostile to us.
30. Now therefore we have chosen you today to be our ruler and leader in his place, to fight our battle.”
31. From that moment Jonathan accepted the leadership, and took the place of Judas his brother.