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.
28. And when the battle was over, and they were returning with joy, they understood that Nicanor was slain in his armour.
29. Then making a shout, and a great noise, they blessed the Almighty Lord in their own language.
30. And Judas, who was altogether ready, in body and mind, to die for his countrymen, commanded that Nicanor's head, and his hand with the shoulder should be cut off, and carried to Jerusalem.
31. And when he was come thither, having called together his countrymen, and the priests to the altar, he sent also for them that were in the castle,
32. And shewing them the head of Nicenor, and the wicked hand, which he had stretched out, with proud boasts, against the holy house of the Almighty God,
33. He commanded also, that the tongue of the wicked Nicanor, should be cut out and given by pieces to birds, and the hand of the furious man to be hanged up over against the temple.
34. Then all blessed the Lord of heaven, saying: Blessed be he that hath kept his own place undefiled.
35. And he hung up Nicanor's head in the top of the castle, that it might be an evident and manifest sign of the help of God.