1 Maccabees 6:19-32
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19 Wherefore Judas, purposing to destroy them, called all the people together to besiege them.
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20 So they came together, and besieged them in the hundred and fiftieth year, and he made mounts for shot against them, and other engines.
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21 Howbeit certain of them that were besieged got forth, unto whom some ungodly men of Israel joined themselves:
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22 And they went unto the king, and said, How long will it be ere thou execute judgment, and avenge our brethren?
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23 We have been willing to serve thy father, and to do as he would have us, and to obey his commandments;
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24 For which cause they of our nation besiege the tower, and are alienated from us: moreover as many of us as they could light on they slew, and spoiled our inheritance.
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25 Neither have they stretched out their hand against us only, but also against their borders.
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26 And, behold, this day are they besieging the tower at Jerusalem, to take it: the sanctuary also and Bethsura have they fortified.
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27 Wherefore if thou dost not prevent them quickly, they will do the greater things than these, neither shalt thou be able to rule them.
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28 Now when the king heard this, he was angry, and gathered together all his friends, and the captains of his army, and those that had charge of the horse.
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29 There came also unto him from other kingdoms, and from isles of the sea, bands of hired soldiers.
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30 So that the number of his army was an hundred thousand footmen, and twenty thousand horsemen, and two and thirty elephants exercised in battle.
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31 These went through Idumea, and pitched against Bethsura, which they assaulted many days, making engines of war; but they of Bethsura came out, and burned them with fire, and fought valiantly.
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32 Upon this Judas removed from the tower, and pitched in Bathzacharias, over against the king's camp.