1. In the mean time when Demetrius heard that Nicanor and his army were fallen in battle, he sent again Bacchides and Alcimus into Judea; and the right wing of his army with them.
2. And they took the road that leadeth to Galgal, and they camped in Masaloth, which is in Arabella: and they made themselves masters of it, and slew many people.
3. In the first month of the hundred and fifty-second year they brought the army to Jerusalem:
4. And they arose, and went to Berea with twenty thousand men, and two thousand horsemen.
5. Now Judas had pitched his tents in Laisa, and three thousand chosen men with him:
6. And they saw the multitude of the army that they were many, and they were seized with great fear: and many withdrew themselves out of the camp, and there remained of them no more than eight hundred men.
7. And Judas saw that his army slipped away, and the battle pressed upon him, and his heart was cast down: because he had not time to gather them together, and he was discouraged.
8. Then he said to them that remained: Let us arise, and go against our enemies, if we may be able to fight against them.