2 Maccabees 11:1-12

Common English Bible

Lysias and the Jews

11 Lysias, the guardian and relative of the king, was in charge of the government. After a very short time he became extremely displeased at what happened. ² He led eighty thousand troops and all his cavalry against the Jews. He intended to make the city a Greek territory, ³ to make the temple subject to tribute like the sacred sites of other nations, and to put the high priesthood on sale every year. ⁴ He gave no thought whatsoever to the power of God but was inflated by his tens of thousands of foot soldiers, his thousands of cavalry, and his eighty elephants. ⁵ He entered Judea, drew near to Beth-zur (a strongly fortified town about a half mile^[a] from Jerusalem), and attacked it. ⁶ When the Maccabee’s followers received information that Lysias was surrounding the fortresses, they and all the people begged the Lord with laments and tears to send a good angel to save Israel. ⁷ The Maccabee was himself the first to take up arms, and he urged the others to run risks as he did and to come to the aid of their brothers. They dashed out at once, ready for action. ⁸ While they were still near Jerusalem, a horseman in white garments and wearing full body armor made of gold appeared to them and led them. ⁹ All together they praised the merciful God, and their souls were strengthened. They prepared themselves to attack not only men but also the most fierce animals and even the iron walls. ¹⁰ They proceeded in battle order, having a heavenly ally thanks to the Lord’s mercy toward them. ¹¹ Charging like lions against their enemies, they took down eleven thousand foot soldiers and sixteen hundred horses, and they put all the rest to flight. ¹² Most of them escaped wounded and naked, while Lysias himself escaped by disgracefully running away.