9 Now the king,[fn] infuriated in spirit, was coming with intent to inflict on the Yehudim (Jews) the very worst of the sufferings that had been done in his father’s time. 10 But when Yehudah heard of these things, he commanded the multitude to call upon the master day and night, if ever at any other time, so now to help those who were at the point of being deprived of the law, their country, and the holy temple, 11 and not to allow the people who had just begun to be revived to fall into the hands of those profane heathen. 12 So when they had all done the same thing together, begging[fn] the merciful master with weeping and fastings and prostration for three days without ceasing, Yehudah exhorted them and commanded they should join him.

13 Having consulted privately with the elders, he resolved that before the king’s army entered into Yehudah (Judea) and made themselves masters of the city, they should go out and decide the matter by the help of God.[fn] 14 And committing the decision to the master[fn] of the world, and exhorting those who were with him to contend nobly even to death for laws, temple, city, country, and way of life, he pitched his camp by Modi’in. 15 He gave out to his men the watchword, “VICTORY IS GOD’S”, with a chosen force of the bravest young men he attacked by the king’s pavilion by night, and killed of his army as many as two thousand men, and brought[fn] down the leading elephant with him who was in the tower[fn] on him. 16 At last they filled the army[fn] with terror and alarm, and departed with good success. 17 This had been accomplished when the day was just dawning, because of the master’s protection that gave Yehudah[fn] help.