8 But Yehudah (Judas), who is also called Makabi (Maccabaeus), and those who were with him, making their way secretly into the villages, called to them their kindred. Taking to them those who had continued in the Yehudim’ (Jews) religion, gathered together about six thousand. 2 They called upon the master to look at the people who were oppressed by all, and to have compassion on the sanctuary that had been profaned by the ungodly men, 3 and to have pity on the city that was suffering ruin and ready to be levelled to the ground, and to listen to the blood that cried out to him, 4 and to remember the lawless destruction of the innocent infants, and concerning the blasphemies that had been committed against his name, and to show his hatred of wickedness.

5 When Makabi had trained his men for service, the heathen at once found him irresistible, for the wrath of the master was turned into mercy. 6 Coming[fn] without warning, he set fire to cities and villages. And in winning back the most important positions, putting to flight no small number of the enemies, 7 he especially took advantage of the nights for such assaults. His courage was loudly talked of everywhere.