18. as he promised through the law. For we hope in God, that he will soon have mercy on us and gather us together from everywhere under the heavens to his holy place, for he has rescued us from great perils and has purified the place.
19. This is the story of Judas Maccabeus and his brothers, of the purification of the great temple, the dedication of the altar,
20. the campaigns against Antiochus Epiphanes and his son Eupator,
21. and of the heavenly manifestations accorded to the heroes who fought bravely for the Jewish people. Few as they were, they plundered the whole land, put to flight the barbarian hordes,
22. regained possession of the temple renowned throughout the world, and liberated the city. They re-established the laws that were in danger of being abolished, while the Lord favored them with every kindness.
23. All this, detailed by Jason of Cyrene in five volumes, we will try to condense into a single book.
24. For in view of the flood of data, and the difficulties encountered, given such abundant material, by those who wish to plunge into accounts of the history,