21 Judas Maccabaeus looked at the huge enemy force, the variety of their weapons, and their fierce elephants. Then he raised his hands towards heaven and prayed to the Lord, who works miracles, because he knew that the Lord gives victory to those who deserve it, not to those who have a strong army.
22 Judas said: “Lord, when Hezekiah was king of Judah, you sent your angel, who killed 185,000 of Sennacherib's men.
23 Now once again, Lord of heaven, send your good angel to make our enemies shake and tremble with fear.
24 By your great power, destroy these people who have slandered you and have come out to attack your chosen people.” So Judas ended his prayer.
25 Nicanor and his army moved forward to the sound of trumpets and battle-songs,
26 but Judas and his men went into battle calling on God for help.
27 So by fighting with their hands and praying to God in their hearts, the Jews killed more than 35,000 of the enemy. How grateful they were for the help they had received from God!