23. As he was successful at arms in all his undertakings, he destroyed more than twenty thousand in the two strongholds.
24. Timothy, who had previously been defeated by the Jews, gathered a tremendous force of foreign troops and collected a large number of cavalry from Asia; then he appeared in Judea, ready to conquer it by force.
25. At his approach, Maccabeus and his companions made supplication to God, sprinkling earth upon their heads and girding their loins in sackcloth.
26. Lying prostrate at the foot of the altar, they begged him to be gracious to them, and to be an enemy to their enemies, and a foe to their foes, as the law declares.
27. After the prayer, they took up their weapons and advanced a considerable distance from the city, halting when they were close to the enemy.