2 Maccabees 15:15-17

Common English Bible

¹⁵ Jeremiah extended his strong hand and gave to Judas a gold sword, saying, ¹⁶ “Take this holy sword as a gift from God, and with it you will destroy your enemies.”

¹⁷ Judas’ eloquent and powerful words urged them on to courage and made the young men’s spirits brave. They determined not to prepare for a long campaign but to attack honorably and fight hand-to-hand with all courage. In this way the matter would be decided, as danger faced their city, the holy things, and the temple.