23. We were willing to serve your father, and to walk after his words, and to follow his commandments;
24. and for this cause the children of our people besieged the citadel, and were alienated from us; but as many of us as they could light on they killed, and spoiled our inheritances.
25. And not against us only did they stretch out their hand, but also against all their borders.
26. And, behold, they are encamped this day against the citadel at Jerusalem, to take it: and the sanctuary and Bethsura have they fortified.
27. And if you⌃ are not beforehand with them quickly, they will do greater things than these, and you shall not be able to control them.
28. And when the king heard this, he was angry, and gathered together all his Friends, even the rulers of his host, and them that were over the horse.
29. And there came to him from other kingdoms, and from isles of the sea, bands of hired soldiers.
30. And the number of his forces was a hundred thousand footmen, and twenty thousand horsemen, and two and thirty elephants trained for war.
31. And they went through Idumaea, and encamped against Bethsura, and fought against it many days, and made engines of war; and they of Bethsura came out, and burned them with fire, and fought valiantly.
32. And Judas removed from the citadel, and encamped at Bethzacharias, over against the king’s camp.
33. And the king rose early in the morning, and removed his army at full speed along the road to Bethzacharias, and his forces made them ready to battle, and sounded with the trumpets.
34. And they showed the elephants the blood of grapes and mulberries, that they might prepare them for the battle.
35. And they divided the beasts among the phalanxes, and they set by each elephant a thousand men armed with coats of mail, and helmets of brass on their heads; and for each beast were appointed five hundred chosen horsemen.