15. Then Jeremiah extended his right hand, and he gave to Judas a sword of gold, saying:
16. "Receive this holy sword as a gift from God, with it you shall cast down the adversaries of my people Israel."
17. And so, having been exhorted by the very good words of Judas, by which the readiness and courage of the young men were able to be raised and strengthened, they resolved to strive and to contend with fortitude, so that virtue would judge the matter, because the holy city and the temple were in peril.
18. For their concern was less for their wives and sons, and likewise less for their brothers and relatives; in truth, their greatest and first fear was for the sanctity of the temple.
19. But those also who were in the city had no small concern for those who had gathered together.