11. Then he armed every one of them, not with the weapons of shield and spear, but with the best speeches and exhortations; and he explained to them a dream, worthy to be believed, in which he rejoiced with them all.
12. Now the vision was in this manner: Onias, who had been high priest, a good and kind man, modest in appearance, gentle in manners, and noble in speech, and who from boyhood was trained in the virtues, extending his hands, prayed on behalf of all the people of the Jews.
13. After this, there appeared also another man, admirable in age and glory, and with a bearing of great dignity about him.
14. In truth, Onias responded by saying: "This one loves his brothers and the people of Israel. This is he who prays greatly for the people and for all the holy city: Jeremiah, the prophet of God."
15. Then Jeremiah extended his right hand, and he gave to Judas a sword of gold, saying:
16. "Receive this holy sword as a gift from God, with it you shall cast down the adversaries of my people Israel."
17. And so, having been exhorted by the very good words of Judas, by which the readiness and courage of the young men were able to be raised and strengthened, they resolved to strive and to contend with fortitude, so that virtue would judge the matter, because the holy city and the temple were in peril.
18. For their concern was less for their wives and sons, and likewise less for their brothers and relatives; in truth, their greatest and first fear was for the sanctity of the temple.
19. But those also who were in the city had no small concern for those who had gathered together.
20. And, when all now hoped that judgment would soon occur, and when the enemies were near, and the army was set in order, with the beasts and the horsemen positioned in strategic places,
21. Maccabeus, considering the arrival of the multitude, and the various preparations of weapons, and the fierceness of the beasts, extending his hands to heaven, called upon the Lord, who works miracles, who gives victory to those who are worthy, not according to the power of the weapons, but just as it pleases him.
22. Then, calling out in this way, he said: "You, O Lord, who sent your Angel under Hezekiah, king of Judah, and who killed one hundred and eighty-five thousand from the camp of Sennacherib,
23. now also, O Ruler of the heavens, send your good Angel before us, who are in fear and trembling at the greatness of your arm,
24. so that those who approach against your holy people with blasphemy may be afraid." And in this way, indeed, he concluded his prayer.
25. But Nicanor, and those who were with him, advanced with trumpets and songs.
26. In truth, Judas, and those who were with him, calling upon God through prayers, came together against them.