2 Maccabees 14:15-17

New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised Catholic Edition

Nicanor Makes Friends with Judas

¹⁵ When the Jews^[a] heard of Nicanor’s coming and the gathering of the Gentiles, they sprinkled dust on 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^[b] set out from there immediately and engaged them in battle at a village called Dessau.^{[c] 17} Simon, the brother of Judas, had encountered Nicanor, but had been temporarily^[d] checked because of the sudden consternation created by the enemy.