2 Maccabees 15:4-6

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

⁴ When they declared, “It is the living Lord himself, the Sovereign in heaven, who ordered us to observe the seventh day,”^{(A) 5} he replied, “But I am a sovereign also, on earth, and I command you to take up arms and finish the king’s business.” Nevertheless, he did not succeed in carrying out his abominable design.^(B)

Judas Prepares the Jews for Battle

⁶ This Nicanor in his utter boastfulness and arrogance had determined to erect a public monument of victory over Judas and his forces.