13. And having gone apart with the elders he resolved that, before the king’s army should enter into Judaea and make themselves masters of the city, they should go forth and try the matter in fight by the help of God.
14. And committing the decision to the Lord of the world, and exhorting them that were with him to contend nobly even to death for laws, temple, city, country, commonwealth, he pitched his camp by Modin.
15. And given out to his men the watchword, VICTORY IS GOD’S, with a chosen body of the bravest young men he fell upon the camp by night and penetrated to the king’s tent, and killed of the army as many as two thousand men, and brought down the chiefest elephant with him that was in the tower upon him.
16. And at last they filled the army with terror and alarm, and departed with good success.
17. And this had been accomplished when the day was but now dawning, because of the Lord’s protection that gave Judas help.
18. But the king, having had a taste of the exceeding boldness of the Jews, made attempts by stratagem upon their positions,
19. and upon a strong fortress of the Jews at Bethsura; he advanced, was turned back, failed, was defeated,
20. And Judas conveyed such things as were necessary to them that were within.
21. But Rhodocus, from the Jewish ranks, made known to the enemy the secrets of his countrymen. He was sought out, and taken, and shut up in prison.
22. The king treated with them in Bethsura the second time, gave his hand, took theirs, departed, attacked the forces of Judas, was put to the worse,
23. heard that Philip who had been left as chancellor in Antioch had become reckless, was confounded, made to the Jews an overture of peace, submitted himself and sware to acknowledge all their rights, came to terms with them and offered sacrifice, honored the sanctuary and the place,
24. showed kindness and graciously received Maccabaeus, left Hegemonides governor from Ptolemais even to the Gerrenians,
25. came to Ptolemais. The men of Ptolemais were displeased at the treaty, for they had exceeding great indignation against the Jews: they desired to annul the articles of the agreement.
26. Lysias came forward to speak, made the best defence that was possible, persuaded, pacified, made them well affected, departed to Antioch. This was the issue of the inroad and departure of the king.