1 Maccabees 3:7-17
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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.
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16 And when he came near to the going up of Bethhoron, Judas went forth to meet him with a small company:
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17 Who, when they saw the host coming to meet them, said unto Judas, How shall we be able, being so few, to fight against so great a multitude and so strong, seeing we are ready to faint with fasting all this day?