27. After the prayer, they took up their weapons and advanced a considerable distance from the city, halting when they were close to the enemy.
28. As soon as dawn broke, the armies joined battle, the one having as pledge of success and victory not only their valor but also their reliance on the Lord, and the other taking fury as their leader in the fight.
29. In the midst of the fierce battle, there appeared to the enemy five majestic men from the heavens riding on golden-bridled horses, leading the Jews.
30. They surrounded Maccabeus, and shielding him with their own armor, kept him from being wounded. They shot arrows and hurled thunderbolts at the enemy, who were bewildered and blinded, routed in utter confusion.
31. Twenty thousand five hundred of their foot soldiers and six hundred cavalry were slain.
32. Timothy, however, fled to a well-fortified stronghold called Gazara, where Chaereas was in command.
33. For four days Maccabeus and his forces eagerly besieged the fortress.
34. Those inside, relying on the strength of the place, kept repeating outrageous blasphemies and uttering abominable words.
35. When the fifth day dawned, twenty young men in the army of Maccabeus, angered over such blasphemies, bravely stormed the wall and with savage fury cut down everyone they encountered.
36. Similarly, others climbed up and swung around on the defenders; they put the towers to the torch, spread the fire and burned the blasphemers alive. Still others broke down the gates and let in the rest of the troops, who took possession of the city.
37. Timothy had hidden in a cistern, but they killed him, along with his brother Chaereas, and Apollophanes.
38. On completing these exploits, they blessed, with hymns of grateful praise, the Lord who shows great kindness to Israel and grants them victory.