1 Maccabees 5:37-44
New Catholic Bible
37 After these things, Timothy gathered another army and pitched camp opposite Raphon, on the other side of the stream. 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. 41 However, if he is fearful and camps on the other side of the river, we will cross over to him and defeat him.”
42 When Judas reached the stream, he stationed the scribes[a] of the people alongside it and gave them this command, “Do not allow anyone to encamp, but order them all to enter the battle.” 43 He himself was the first one to cross over to the attack, and his entire army followed him. The Gentiles were crushed; at his approach they threw down their arms and fled to the temple[b] at Carnaim. 44 The Jews captured that city and then burned down the temple with all who were inside. Thus Carnaim was captured, and no further resistance was offered to Judas.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 1 Maccabees 5:42 Scribes: not the doctors of the law of whom the Gospels speak but officials with either civil or military positions, perhaps in charge of enrollment.
- 1 Maccabees 5:43 Temple: the temple dedicated to Atargatis, the Syrian fish goddess.
