2 Maccabees 14:14-16

Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition

¹⁴ And the Gentiles throughout Judea, who had fled before^[a] Judas, flocked to join Nica′nor, thinking that the misfortunes and calamities of the Jews would mean prosperity for themselves.

Nicanor Makes Friends with Judas

¹⁵ When the Jews^[b] heard of Nica′nor’s coming and the gathering of the Gentiles, they sprinkled dust upon their heads and prayed to him who established his own people for ever and always upholds his own heritage by manifesting himself. ¹⁶ At the command of the leader, they^[c] set out from there immediately and engaged them in battle at a village called Dessau.^[d]