1 Maccabees 3:1-15
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1 Then his son Judas, called Maccabeus, rose up in his stead.
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2 And all his brethren helped him, and so did all they that held with his father, and they fought with cheerfulness the battle of Israel.
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3 So he gat his people great honour, and put on a breastplate as a giant, and girt his warlike harness about him, and he made battles, protecting the host with his sword.
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4 In his acts he was like a lion, and like a lion's whelp roaring for his prey.
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5 For He pursued the wicked, and sought them out, and burnt up those that vexed his people.
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6 Wherefore the wicked shrunk for fear of him, and all the workers of iniquity were troubled, because salvation prospered in his hand.
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7 He grieved also many kings, and made Jacob glad with his acts, and his memorial is blessed for ever.
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8 Moreover he went through the cities of Juda, destroying the ungodly out of them, and turning away wrath from Israel:
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9 So that he was renowned unto the utmost part of the earth, and he received unto him such as were ready to perish.
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10 Then Apollonius gathered the Gentiles together, and a great host out of Samaria, to fight against Israel.
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11 Which thing when Judas perceived, he went forth to meet him, and so he smote him, and slew him: many also fell down slain, but the rest fled.
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12 Wherefore Judas took their spoils, and Apollonius' sword also, and therewith he fought all his life long.
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13 Now when Seron, a prince of the army of Syria, heard say that Judas had gathered unto him a multitude and company of the faithful to go out with him to war;
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14 He said, I will get me a name and honour in the kingdom; for I will go fight with Judas and them that are with him, who despise the king's commandment.
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15 So he made him ready to go up, and there went with him a mighty host of the ungodly to help him, and to be avenged of the children of Israel.