2 Maccabees 8:4-6

New Catholic Bible

⁴ to remember the lawless slaughter of innocent children and the blasphemous deeds perpetrated against his name; and to manifest his hatred of evil.

⁵ As soon as Maccabeus had organized his army, the Gentiles found that they were unable to withstand him, for the wrath of the Lord had turned to compassion. ⁶ Attacking towns and villages without warning, he would set them on fire. He captured strategic positions and inflicted heavy losses on the enemy,