1 Maccabees 5:39-41

New Catholic Bible

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. ⁴¹ However, if he is fearful and camps on the other side of the river, we will cross over to him and defeat him.”