And Gorgias took five thousand footmen, and a thousand chosen horse, and the army marched by night, that it might fall upon the army of the Jews and smite them suddenly: and the men of the citadel were his guides. And Judas heard thereof, and he also marched by night, he and the valiant men, that he might smite the king's host which was at Emmaus, while as yet the forces were dispersed from the camp. And Gorgias came into the camp of Judas by night, and found no man; and he sought them in the mountains; for he said, "These men flee from us."
And as soon as it was day, Judas appeared in the plain with three thousand men: howbeit they had neither suitable armor nor swords. And they saw the camp of the Gentiles strong and fortified, and horsemen compassing it round about; and these were expert in war.
And Judas said to the men that were with him, "Fear ye not their multitude, neither be ye afraid of their onset. Remember how our fathers were saved in the Red Sea, when Pharaoh pursued them with a host. And now let us cry unto heaven, if he will pity us, and will remember the covenant of our fathers, and destroy this army before us to-day: and all the Gentiles shall know that there is one who redeemeth and saveth Israel."
And the strangers lifted up their eyes, and saw them coming over against them: and they went out of the camp to battle. And they that were with Judas sounded their trumpets, and joined battle, and the Gentiles were discomfited, and fled into the plain. But all the hindmost fell by the sword: and they pursued them a long distance, and there fell of them about three thousand men.
And Judas and his host returned from pursuing after them, and he said unto the people, "Be not greedy of the spoils, inasmuch as there is a battle before us; and Gorgias and his host are nigh unto us in the mountain. But stand ye now against our enemies, and fight against them, and afterwards take the spoils with boldness."
While Judas was yet speaking, there appeared a part of them looking out from the mountain: and they saw that their host had been put to flight, and that the Jews were burning the camp; for the smoke that was seen declared what was done. But when they perceived these things, they were sore afraid; and perceiving also the army of Judas in the plain ready for battle, they fled all of them into the land of the Philistines.
And Judas returned to spoil the camp, and they got much gold, and silver, and blue, and sea purple, and great riches. And they returned home, and sang a song of thanksgiving, and gave praise unto heaven; because his mercy is good, because his mercy endureth forever. And Israel had a great deliverance that day.