10. Then after he had encouraged them, he shewed withal the falsehood of the Gentiles, and their breach of oaths.
11. So he armed every one of them, not with defence of shield and spear, but with very good speeches and exhortations, and told them a dream worthy to be believed, whereby he rejoiced them all.
12. Now the vision was in this manner: Onias who had been high priest, a good and virtuous man, modest in his looks, gentle in his manners, and graceful in his speech, and who from a child was exercised in virtues, holding up his hands, prayed for all the people of the Jews:
13. After this there appeared also another man, admirable for age, and glory, and environed with great beauty and majesty:
14. Then Onias answering, Raid: This is a lover of his brethren, and of the people of Israel: this is he that prayeth much for the people, and for all the holy city, Jeremias the prophet of God.
15. Whereupon Jeremias stretched forth his right hand, and gave to Judas a sword of gold, saying:
16. Take this holy sword a gift from God, wherewith thou shalt overthrow the adversaries of my people Israel.
17. Thus being exhorted with the words of Judas, which were very good, and proper to stir up the courage, and strengthen the hearts of the young men, they resolved to fight, and to set upon them manfully: that valour might decide the matter, because the holy city and the temple were in danger.
18. For their concern was less for their wives, and children, and for their brethren, and kinsfolks: but their greatest and principal fear was for the holiness of the temple.
19. And they also that were in the city, had no little concern for them that were to be engaged in battle.
20. And now when all expected what judgment would be given, and the enemies were at hand, and the army was set in array, the beasts and the horsemen ranged in convenient places,
21. Machabeus considering the coming of the multitude, and the divers preparations of armour, and the fierceness of the beasts, stretching out his hands to heaven, called upon the Lord, that worketh wonders, who giveth victory to them that are worthy, not according to the power of their arms, but according as it seemeth good to him.
22. And in his prayer he said after this manner: Thou, O Lord, who didst send thy angel in the time of Ezechias king of Juda, and didst kill a hundred and eighty-five thousand of the army of Sennacherib:
23. Send now also, 0 Lord of heaven, thy good angel before us, for the fear and dread of the greatness of thy arm,
24. That they may be afraid, who come with blasphemy against thy holy people. And thus he concluded his prayer.
25. But Nicanor, and they that were with him came forward, with trumpets and songs.
26. But Judas, and they that were with him, encountered them, calling upon God by prayers:
27. So fighting with their hands, but praying to the Lord with their hearts, they slew no less than five and thirty thousand, being greatly cheered with the presence of God.