9 The Gentiles who were in Gilead gathered themselves together against the Israelis who were on their borders, to destroy them. They fled to the stronghold of Dathema, 10 and sent letters to Yehudah and his kindred, saying, “The Gentiles who are around us are gathered together against us to destroy us. 11 They are preparing to come and get possession of the stronghold where we fled for refuge, and Timotheos is the leader of their army. 12 Now therefore come and deliver us from their hand, for many of us have fallen. 13 All our kindred who were in the land of Toviyah (Tobias)[fn] have been put to death. They have carried their wives, their children, and their stuff into captivity. They destroyed about a thousand men there.”

14 While the letters were still being read, behold, other messengers came from Galil with their clothes torn, bringing a similar report, 15 saying, “People of Ptolemais, of Tsor (Tyre), of Tsidon (Sidon), and all Galil of the[fn] Gentiles have gathered together to destroy us.”

16 Now when Yehudah and the people heard these words, a great congregation assembled together to determine what they should do for their kindred who were in distress and under attack. 17 Yehudah said to Shim’on his brother, “Choose men and go deliver your kindred who are in Galil, but Yonatan (Jonathan) my brother and I will go into the land of Gilead.” 18 He left Yosef (Joseph) the son of Zekaryah (Zechariah), and Azaryah, as leaders of the people, with the remnant of the army, in Yehudah, to guard it. 19 He commanded them, saying, “Take charge of this people, and fight no battle with the Gentiles until we return.” 20 Then three thousand men were assigned to go into Galil with Shim’on, but eight thousand men were assigned to Yehudah to go into the land of Gilead.