Early Victories of Judas Maccabeus

1 Then his sonne Iudas, called Maccabeus, rose vp in his stead.

2 And all his brethren helped him, and so did all they that held with his father, and they fought with cheerefulnesse, the battaile of Israel.

3 So he gate his people great honor, and put on a brestplate as a giant, and girt his warlike harnesse about him, and he made battels, protecting the host with his sword.

4 In his acts he was like a lyon, and like a lyons whelp roaring for his pray.

5 For hee pursued the wicked, and sought them out, and burnt vp those that vexed his people.

6 Wherefore the wicked shrunke for feare of him, and all the workers of iniquity were troubled, because saluation prospered in his hand.

7 He grieued also many kings, and made Iacob glad with his acts, and his memoriall is blessed for euer.

8 Moreouer he went through the citties of Iuda, destroying the vngodly out of them, and turning away wrath from Israel.

9 So that he was renowned vnto the vtmost part of the earth, & he receiued vnto him such as were ready to perish.

10 Then Apollonius gathered the Gentiles together, and a great host out of Samaria to fight against Israel.

11 Which thing when Iudas perceiued he went forth to meete him, and so he smote him, and slew him, many also fell downe slaine, but the rest fled.

12 Wherefore Iudas tooke their spoiles, and Apollonius sword also, and therewith he fought, all his life long.

13 Now when Seron a prince of the armie of Syria, heard say that Iudas had gathered vnto him a multitude and company of the faithfull, to goe out with him to warre.

14 He said, I will get me a name and honour in the kingdome, for I will goe fight with Iudas, and them that are with him, who despise the kings commandement.

15 So he made him ready to goe vp, and there went with him a mighty host of the vngodly to helpe him, and to be auenged of the children of Israel.

16 And when hee came neere to the going vp of Bethoron, Iudas went forth to meet him with a smal company.

17 Who when they saw the host comming to meet them, said vnto Iudas; How shall wee be able, being so few to fight against so great a multitude, and so strong, seeing wee are ready to faint with fasting all this day?

18 Unto whom Iudas answered: It is no hard matter for many to bee shut vp in the hands of a few; and with the God of heauen it is all one, to deliuer with a great multitude, or a small company:

19 For the victory of battell standeth not in the multitude of an hoste, but strength commeth from heauen.

20 They come against vs in much pride and iniquitie to destroy vs, and our wiues & children, and to spoile vs:

21 But wee fight for our liues, and our Lawes.

22 Wherefore the Lord himselfe will ouerthrow them before our face: and as for you, be ye not afraid of them.

23 Now as soone as hee had left off speaking, he lept suddenly vpon them, and so Seron and his host was ouerthrowen before him.

24 And they pursued them from the going downe of Bethoron, vnto the plaine, where were slaine about eight hundred men of them; and the residue fledde into the land of the Philistines.

25 Then began the feare of Iudas and his brethren, & an exceeding great dread to fall vpon the nations round about them:

26 In so much, as his fame came vnto the king, and all nations talked of the battels of Iudas.

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