Judas Wins at Emmaus

King Antiochus was furious when he heard what was happening in Judea. He gathered a very large army, paid the troops, and made them ready. Because he needed more money, he set out for Persia. Before leaving, he put Lysias in charge and ordered him to send forces against Judea, wipe out Israel's strength and Jerusalem's remnant, and divide the land among foreigners.

Lysias chose powerful commanders and sent forty thousand infantry and seven thousand cavalry into Judah. They camped near Emmaus in the plain. Merchants came too, bringing silver, gold, and fetters, expecting to take Israelites as slaves. When Judas and his kindred saw the danger, they urged the people to repair the ruins of their people and fight for their people and the holy place.

The congregation gathered at Mizpeh, where there had once been a place of prayer for Israel. They fasted, wore sackcloth, put ashes on their heads, tore their clothes, and opened the book of the law. They cried out to heaven about the ruined holy place and asked how they could stand unless heaven helped them. Then they sounded the trumpets and gave a loud shout.

After this, Judas appointed leaders over the people. He sent home those who were building houses, arranging marriages, planting vineyards, or overcome with fear, as the law allowed. Then the army camped south of Emmaus. Judas told them to arm themselves and be ready by morning. He said it was better to die in battle than to see their nation and holy place ruined, yet the final outcome rested with heaven's will.

That night Gorgias marched out with five thousand infantry and a thousand chosen cavalry to surprise Judas. But Judas had already moved. At daybreak he appeared on the plain with three thousand men, lacking the armour and swords they wanted. He told them not to fear, but to cry to heaven for help. The battle began, and the enemy fled. About three thousand fell.

When Gorgias's men saw the camp burning and Judas ready for battle, they ran away too. Then Judas's people took great riches from the camp and returned home singing thanks to heaven for a great deliverance.