2 Maccabees 11:5-7

Common English Bible

⁵ He entered Judea, drew near to Beth-zur (a strongly fortified town about a half mile^[a] from Jerusalem), and attacked it. ⁶ When the Maccabee’s followers received information that Lysias was surrounding the fortresses, they and all the people begged the Lord with laments and tears to send a good angel to save Israel. ⁷ The Maccabee was himself the first to take up arms, and he urged the others to run risks as he did and to come to the aid of their brothers. They dashed out at once, ready for action.