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,