Open English Translation 1 MAC Chapter 4

4 Gorgias took five thousand infantry, a thousand chosen cavalry, and the army moved out at night, 2 that it might fall onto the army of the Yehudim (Jews) and strike them suddenly. The men of the citadel were his guides. 3 Yehudah heard of this, and he and the valiant men moved, that he might strike the king’s army which was at Emmaous 4 while the forces were still dispersed from the camp. 5 Gorgias came into the camp of Yehudah at night and found no man. He searched for them in the mountains; for he said, “These men are running away from us.”

6 As soon as it was day, Yehudah appeared in the plain with three thousand men. However they didn’t have the armour and swords they desired. 7 They saw the camp of the Gentiles strong and fortified, with cavalry all around it; and these were expert in war. 8 Yehudah said to the men who were with him, “Don’t be afraid of their numbers, or when they charge. 9 Remember how our fathers were saved in the Red sea, when Par’oh (Pharaoh) pursued them with an army. 10 Now let’s cry to heaven, if he’ll have us, and will remember the covenant of our fathers, and destroy this army before our face today. 11 Then all the Gentiles will know that there’s one who redeems and saves Yisrael (Israel).

12 The foreigners lifted up their eyes, and saw them coming near them. 13 They went out of the camp to battle. Those who were with Yehudah sounded their trumpets 14 and joined battle. The Gentiles were defeated, and fled into the plain. 15 But all those in the rear fell by the sword. They pursued them to[fn] Gezer, and to the plains of Edom, Azotos, and Yavneh. About three thousand of those men fell. 16 Then Yehudah and his army returned from pursuing them; 17 and he said to the people, “Don’t be greedy for the spoils, because there’s a battle before us. 18 Gorgias and his army are near us on the mountain. But stand now against our enemies and fight against them, and afterwards take the spoils with boldness.” 19 While Yehudah was finishing this speech, a part of them appeared looking out from the mountain. 20 They saw that their army had been put to flight, and that the Yehudim (Jews) were burning the camp; for the smoke that was seen declared what was done. 21 But when they perceived these things, they were very afraid. Perceiving also Yehudah’s army in the plain ready for battle, 22 they all fled into the land of the[fn] Pelishtim. 23 Yehudah returned to plunder the camp, and they took much gold, silver, blue, sea purple, and great riches. 24 Then they returned home, and sang a song of thanksgiving, and gave praise to heaven, because he’s good, because his mercy endures forever. 25 Yisrael (Israel) had a great deliverance that day.

26 The foreigners who’d escaped came and told Lusias all the things that’d happened. 27 When he heard of it, he was confounded and discouraged, because the things he desired hadn’t been done to Yisrael, nor had such things happened as the king commanded him.

28 In the next year, he gathered together sixty thousand chosen infantry and five thousand cavalry, that he might subdue them. 29 They came into Edom and encamped at Beyt-Tsur. Yehudah met them with ten thousand men. 30 He saw that the army was strong, and he prayed and said, “Blessed are you, Oh Saviour of Yisrael, who defeated the attack of the mighty warrior by the hand of your servant David, and delivered the army of the[fn] Pelishtim into the hands of Yonatan (Jonathan) the son of Sha’ul (Saul), and of his armour bearer. 31 Hem in this army in the hand of your people Yisrael, and let them be ashamed for their army and their cavalry. 32 Give them faintness of heart. Cause the boldness of their strength to melt away, and let them quake at their destruction. 33 Strike them down with the sword of those who love you, and let all who know your name praise you with thanksgiving.”

34 They joined in battle; and about five thousand men of Lusias’ army fell. They fell down near them. 35 But when Lusias saw that his troops were put to flight, and the boldness that’d come on those who were with Yehudah, and how they were ready either to live or to die nobly, he withdrew to Antiokeia, and gathered together hired soldiers, that he might come again into Yehudah with an even greater army.

36 But Yehudah and his kindred said, “Listen, our enemies are defeated. Let’s go up to cleanse the holy place and to rededicate it.” 37 All the army was gathered together, and they went up to Mt. Tsiyon (Zion). 38 They saw the sanctuary laid desolate, the altar profaned, the gates burnt up, shrubs growing in the courtyards as in a forest or as on one of the mountains, and the priests’ chambers pulled down; 39 and they tore their clothes, made great lamentation, put ashes on their heads, 40 fell on their faces to the ground,[fn] blew with the solemn trumpets,[fn] and cried towards heaven. 41 Then Yehudah appointed certain men to fight against those who were in the citadel until he’d cleansed the holy place.

42 He chose blameless priests who were devoted to the law; 43 and they cleansed the holy place and carried the defiled stones out to an unclean place. 44 They deliberated what to do with the altar of burnt offerings, which had been profaned. 45 A good plan came into their mind, that they should pull it down, so that it wouldn’t bring disgrace on them, because the Gentiles had defiled it. So they pulled down the altar 46 and laid up the stones on the temple hill in a convenient place, until a prophet would come to give an answer about them. 47 They took whole stones according to the law, and built a new altar like the former. 48 They built the holy place and the inner parts of the house; and they consecrated the courtyards. 49 They made new holy vessels, and they brought the lampstand, the altar of incense, and the table into the temple. 50 They burnt incense on the altar, and they lit the lamps that were on the lampstand, and they gave light in the temple. 51 They set loaves on the table, hung up the curtains, and finished all the work which they’d done.

52 They rose up early in the morning, on the twenty-fifth day of the ninth month, which is the month Kislev, in[fn] the one hundred and forty eighth year, 53 and offered sacrifice according to the law on the new altar of burnt offerings which they’d made. 54 At the time and day the Gentiles had profaned it, even then it was dedicated with songs, harps, lutes, and with cymbals. 55 All the people fell on their faces, worshipped, and gave praise towards heaven, which had given them good success. 56 They celebrated the dedication of the altar eight days, and offered burnt offerings with gladness, and sacrificed a sacrifice of deliverance and praise. 57 They decorated the front of the temple with crowns of gold and small shields. They dedicated the gates and the priests’ chambers, and made doors for them. 58 There was very great gladness among the people, and the reproach of the Gentiles was turned away.

59 Yehudah (Judas) and his kindred and the whole congregation of Yisrael (Israel) ordained that the days of the dedication of the altar should be kept in their seasons from year to year for eight days, from the twenty-fifth day of the month Kislev, with gladness and joy.

60 At that time, they fortified Mt. Tsiyon (Zion) with high walls and strong towers around it, so that the Gentiles wouldn’t come and trample them down, as they’d done before. 61 Yehudah stationed a garrison to guard it. They fortified Beyt-Tsur to keep it, that the people might have a fortress near Edom.