37. And the king took the half that remained of the forces, and removed from Antioch, from his royal city, the hundred and forty and seventh year; and he passed over the river Euphrates, and went through the upper countries.
38. And Lysias chose Ptolemy the son of Dorymenes, and Nicanor, and Gorgias, mighty men of the king’s Friends;
39. and with them he sent forty thousand footmen, and seven thousand horse, to go into the land of Judah, and to destroy it, according to the word of the king.
40. And they removed with all their host, and came and pitched near to Emmaus in the plain country.
41. And the merchants of the country heard the fame of them, and took silver and gold exceeding much, with fetters, and came into the camp to take the children of Israel for servants: and there were added to them the forces of Syria and of the land of the Philistines.
42. And Judas and his brethren saw that evils were multiplied, and that the forces were encamping in their borders; and they took knowledge of the king’s words which he had commanded, to destroy the people and make an end of them;
43. and they said each man to his neighbor, Let us raise up the ruin of our people, and let us fight for our people and the holy place.
44. And the congregation was gathered together, that they might be ready for battle, and that they might pray, and ask for mercy and compassion.
45. And Jerusalem was without inhabitant as a wilderness, there was none of her offspring that went in or went out; and the sanctuary was trodden down, and the sons of strangers were in the citadel, the Gentiles lodged therein; and joy was taken away from Jacob, and the pipe and the harp ceased.
46. And they gathered themselves together, and came to Mizpeh, over against Jerusalem; for in Mizpeh was there a place of prayer aforetime for Israel.
47. And they fasted that day, and put on sackcloth, and put ashes upon their heads, and tore their clothes,
48. and laid open the book of the law, concerning which the Gentiles were wont to inquire, seeking the likenesses of their idols.