Old Testament

New Testament

1 Maccabees 7:30-48 Catholic Public Domain Version (CPDV)

30. And the plan became known to Judas, that he came to him with deceit. And so he became very afraid of him, and he was no longer willing to see his face.

31. And Nicanor knew that his plan had been exposed, and he went out to meet Judas in battle near Capharsalama.

32. And there fell of the army of Nicanor nearly five thousand men, and they fled into the city of David.

33. And after these events, Nicanor ascended to mount Zion. And some of the priests of the people went out to greet him in peace, and to show him the holocausts that were offered for the king.

34. But he mocked and despised them, and he defiled them. And he spoke arrogantly,

35. and he swore with anger, saying, "Unless Judas and his army have been delivered into my hands, when I return in peace, I will burn this house." And he went out with great anger.

36. And the priests went in and stood before the face of the altar and the temple. And weeping, they said:

37. "You, O Lord, have chosen this house so that your name may be invoked in it, so that it may be a house of prayer and supplication for your people.

38. Accomplish vindication with this man and his army, and let them fall by the sword. Remember their blasphemies, and do not allow them to continue."

39. Then Nicanor departed from Jerusalem, and he positioned his camp near Bethhoron, and an army of Syria met him there.

40. And Judas took a position in Adasa with three thousand men. And Judas prayed, and he said:

41. "O Lord, when those who were sent by king Sennacherib blasphemed against you, an angel went out and struck one hundred and eighty-five thousand of them.

42. Just so, crush this army in our sight today, and so let the others know that he has spoken evil against your sanctuary. And judge him according to his wickedness."

43. And the armies were sent into battle together on the thirteenth day of the month of Adar. And the camp of Nicanor was crushed, and he himself was among the first slain in the battle.

44. So then, when his army saw that Nicanor had fallen, they threw away their weapons and fled.

45. And they pursued them for one day's journey from Adasa, even until one comes into Gazara, and they sounded the trumpets after them with signals.

46. And they went forth from all of the towns all around Judea. And they herded them with the horns, and they turned back again to them, and they were all felled with the sword, and there was not so much as one of them left behind.

47. And they took their spoils like a prey, and they cut off the head of Nicanor, and his right hand, which he had extended arrogantly, and they brought it, and hung it up opposite Jerusalem.

48. And the people rejoiced exceedingly, and they spent that day in great joy.

Read complete chapter 1 Maccabees 7