44. And an assembly was gathered together, so that they would be prepared for battle, and so that they could pray and ask for mercy and compassion.
45. Now Jerusalem was not inhabited, but was like a desert. There was no one who entered or exited from among her children. And the sanctuary was trampled upon, and the sons of foreigners were in the stronghold. This place was the habitation of the Gentiles. And delight was taken away from Jacob, and the music of flute and harp ceased in that place.
46. And they gathered together and came to Mizpah, opposite Jerusalem. For a place of prayer was in Mizpah, in the former Israel.
47. And they fasted on that day, and they clothed themselves with haircloth, and they placed ashes on their heads, and they tore their garments.
48. And they laid open the books of the law, in which the Gentiles searched for the likeness of their idols.
49. And they brought the priestly ornaments, and the first fruits and tithes, and they roused the Nazirites, who had fulfilled their days.
50. And they cried out with a loud voice toward heaven, saying: "What shall we do with these, and where shall we take them?
51. For your holy things have been trampled and defiled, and your priests have been in mourning and in humiliation.
52. And behold, the Nations gather together against us, to destroy us. You know what they intend against us.
53. How shall we be able to stand before their face, unless you, O God, assist us?"
54. Then they sounded the trumpets with a loud call.
55. And after this, Judas appointed commanders over the people: over thousands, and over hundreds, and over fifties, and over tens.
56. And he said to those who were building houses, or who had betrothed wives, who were planting vineyards, or who were terribly afraid, that they should return, each one to his own house, according to the law.
57. So they moved the camp, and relocated to the south of Emmaus.
58. And Judas said: "Gird yourselves, and be sons of power, and be ready in the morning, so that you may fight against these nations that have assembled against us, so as to destroy us and our sacred things.
59. For it is better for us to die in battle, than to see evils come to our nation and to the sacred places.
60. Nevertheless, as it shall be willed in heaven, so let it be."