21 But when word was brought to Maccabaeus of what was done, he gathered the leaders of the people together, and accused those men of having sold their brethren for money, by setting their enemies free to fight against them.
22 So he killed these men for having turned traitors, and forthwith took possession of the two towers.
23 And prospering with his arms in all things he took in hand, he destroyed in the two strongholds more than twenty thousand.
24 Now Timotheus, who had been before defeated by the Jews, having gathered together foreign forces in great multitudes, and having collected the horsemen which belonged to Asia, not a few, came as though he would take Judaea by force of arms.
25 But as he drew near, Maccabaeus and his men sprinkled earth upon their heads and girded their loins with sackcloth, in supplication to God,
26 and falling down upon the step in front of the altar, implored him to become gracious to them, and be an enemy to their enemies and an adversary to their adversaries, as the law declares.
27 And rising from their prayer they took up their arms, and advanced some distance from the city; and when they had come near to their enemies they halted.