Bacchides Returns to Judea

1 Furthermore, when Demetrius heard that Nicanor and his hoste were slaine in battell, hee sent Bacchides and Alcimus into the land of Iudea the second time, and with them the chiefe strength of his hoste.

2 Who went forth by the way that leadeth to Galgala, and pitched their tents before Masaloth, which is in Arbela, and after they had wonne it, they slew much people.

3 Also the first moneth of the hundred fiftie and second yeere, they encamped before Ierusalem.

4 From whence they remoued and went to Berea, with twentie thousand footmen, and two thousand horsemen.

5 Now Iudas had pitched his tents at Eleasa, and three thousand chosen men with him.

6 Who seeing the multitude of the other army to be so great, were sore afraide, whereupon many conueyed themselues out of the hoste, insomuch as there abode of them no moe but eight hundred men.

7 When Iudas therefore saw that his hoste slipt away, and that the battell pressed vpon him, he was sore troubled in mind, and much distressed for that he had no time to gather them together.

8 Neuerthelesse vnto them that remained, he said; Let vs arise and goe vp against our enemies, if peraduenture we may be able to fight with them.

9 But they dehorted him, saying, Wee shall neuer be able: Let vs now rather saue our liues, and hereafter we will returne with our brethren, and fight against them: for we are but few.

10 Then Iudas said, God forbid that I should doe this thing, and flee away from them: If our time be come, let vs die manfully for our brethren, and let vs not staine our honour.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16).

Agere Sequitur Esse