51. He killed every male by the edge of the sword, and he demolished and plundered the town. Then he passed through it, walking over the dead bodies.
52. After that they crossed the Jordan and came into the large plain in front of Beth-shan.
53. Judas kept rallying those who fell behind and encouraged the people all along the way until he came to the land of Judah.
54. They went up to Mount Zion with joy and gladness. They made entirely burned offerings, because they had returned safely. Not one of them had died.
55. Now this is what happened while Judas and Jonathan were in Gilead and their brother Simon was in Galilee in front of Ptolemais.
56. Joseph, Zechariah’s son, and Azariah (the commanders of the forces that had remained behind) heard about their brave deeds and the war they had fought.
57. So they said, "Let’s make a name for ourselves too. Let’s go and make war on the Gentiles around us."
58. They gave orders to the troops who were with them and marched against Jamnia.
59. Gorgias and his troops came out from the town to engage them in battle.