1 Maccabees 5:38-40

New Catholic Bible

³⁸ Judas sent men to reconnoiter their camp, and they returned to him with this report: “All the Gentiles in this area have come to his support, encompassing a very large force. ³⁹ They have also hired Arab mercenaries to assist them. They are encamped across the stream and are prepared to attack you.” Judas therefore went forward to engage them in battle.

⁴⁰ As Judas and his army were approaching the stream, Timothy said to the officers of his forces, “If he crosses over to us first, we shall not be able to resist him, and he will surely defeat us.