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21
But when it was told Maccabeus what was done, he called the governors of the people together,
and accused those men, that they had sold their brethren for money, and set their enemies free to
fight against them.
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So he slew those that were found traitors, and immediately took the two castles.
23
And having good success with his weapons in all things he took in hand, he slew in the two
holds more than twenty thousand.
24
Now Timotheus, whom the Jews had overcome before, when he had gathered a great multitude
of foreign forces, and horses out of Asia not a few, came as though he would take Jewry by force
of arms.
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But when he drew near, they that were with Maccabeus turned themselves to pray unto God,
and sprinkled earth upon their heads, and girded their loins with sackcloth,
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And fell down at the foot of the altar, and besought him to be merciful to them, and to be an
enemy to their enemies, and an adversary to their adversaries, as the law declareth.
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So after the prayer they took their weapons, and went on further from the city: and when they
drew near to their enemies, they kept by themselves.
28
Now the sun being newly risen, they joined both together; the one part having together with
their virtue their refuge also unto the Lord for a pledge of their success and victory: the other side
making their rage leader of their battle
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But when the battle waxed strong, there appeared unto the enemies from heaven five comely
men upon horses, with bridles of gold, and two of them led the Jews,
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And took Maccabeus betwixt them, and covered him on every side weapons, and kept him
safe, but shot arrows and lightnings against the enemies: so that being confounded with blindness,
and full of trouble, they were killed.
31
And there were slain of footmen twenty thousand and five hundred, and six hundred horsemen.
32
As for Timotheus himself, he fled into a very strong hold, called Gawra, where Chereas was
governor.
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But they that were with Maccabeus laid siege against the fortress courageously four days.
34
And they that were within, trusting to the strength of the place, blasphemed exceedingly, and
uttered wicked words.
35
Nevertheless upon the fifth day early twenty young men of Maccabeus' company, inflamed
with anger because of the blasphemies, assaulted the wall manly, and with a fierce courage killed
all that they met withal.
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Others likewise ascending after them, whiles they were busied with them that were within,
burnt the towers, and kindling fires burnt the blasphemers alive; and others broke open the gates,
and, having received in the rest of the army, took the city,
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And killed Timotheus, that was hid in a certain pit, and Chereas his brother, with Apollophanes.
38
When this was done, they praised the Lord with psalms and thanksgiving, who had done so
great things for Israel, and given them the victory.
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KJV Bible