1 Maccabees 6:25-34
-
25 Neither have they stretched out their hand against us only, but also against their borders.
-
26 And, behold, this day are they besieging the tower at Jerusalem, to take it: the sanctuary also and Bethsura have they fortified.
-
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.
-
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.
-
29 There came also unto him from other kingdoms, and from isles of the sea, bands of hired soldiers.
-
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.
-
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.
-
32 Upon this Judas removed from the tower, and pitched in Bathzacharias, over against the king's camp.
-
33 Then the king rising very early marched fiercely with his host toward Bathzacharias, where his armies made them ready to battle, and sounded the trumpets.
-
34 And to the end they might provoke the elephants to fight, they shewed them the blood of grapes and mulberries.