13. And all our brethren that were in the land of Tubias have been put to death; and they have carried into captivity their wives and their children and their stuff; and they destroyed there about a thousand men.
14. While the letters were yet reading, behold, there came other messengers from Galilee with their clothes tore, bringing a report after this wise,
15. saying, That there were gathered together against them those of Ptolemais, and of Tyre, and of Sidon, and all Galilee of the Gentiles to consume them.
16. Now when Judas and the people heard these words, there assembled together a great congregation, to consult what they should do for their brethren, that were in tribulation, and were assaulted of them.
17. And Judas said to Simon his brother, Choose you out men, and go and deliver your brethren that are in Galilee, but I and Jonathan my brother will go into the land of Gilead.
18. And he left Joseph the son of Zacharias, and Azarias, as leaders of the people, with the remnant of the host, in Judaea, for to keep it.
19. And he gave commandment to them, saying, Take you⌃ the charge of this people, and fight no battle with the Gentiles until that we come again.
20. And to Simon were divided three thousand men to go into Galilee, but to Judas eight thousand men to go into the land of Gilead.
21. And Simon went into Galilee, and fought many battles with the Gentiles, and the Gentiles were discomfited before him.
22. And he pursued them to the gate of Ptolemais; and there fell of the Gentiles about three thousand men, and he took their spoils.
23. And they took to them those that were in Galilee, and in Arbatta, with their wives and their children, and all that they had, and brought them into Judaea with great gladness.
24. And Judas Maccabaeus and his brother Jonathan passed over Jordan, and went three days’ journey in the wilderness;
25. and they met with the Nabathaeans, and these met them in a peaceful manner, and told them all things that had befallen their brethren in the land of Gilead:
26. and how that many of them were shut up in Bosora, and Bosor, and Alema, Casphor, Maked, and Carnaim; all these cities are strong and great:
27. and how that they were shut up in the rest of the cities of the land of Gilead, and that tomorrow they have appointed to encamp against the strongholds, and to take them, and to destroy all these men in one day.
28. And Judas and his army turned suddenly by the way of the wilderness to Bosora; and he took the city, and killed all the males with the edge of the sword, and took all their spoils, and burned the city with fire.
29. And he removed from thence by night, and went till he came to the stronghold.
30. And the morning came, and they lifted up their eyes, and, behold, much people which could not be counted, bearing ladders and engines of war, to take the stronghold; and they were fighting against them.