Simon's Sons Repulse the Invader.

John then went up from Gazara and reported to Simon his father what Cendebeus was doing. Simon summoned his two oldest sons, Judas and John, and said to them, "My brothers and I and my father's house have fought the battles of Israel from our youth until today, and on many occasions we were successful in saving Israel. Now I am old, but by the mercy of Heaven you have achieved maturity. Take my place and my brother's, and go out and fight for our nation. And may the help of Heaven be with you."

       John then selected twenty thousand of the country's infantry and calvary, and they marched against Cendebeus. After spending the night at Modein, they marched into the plain early in the morning, where a large force of infantry and cavalry was waiting to attack them, with a stream lying between the two armies. John and his troops lined up in position facing them. When he realized that his soldiers were afraid to cross the stream, John himself crossed over first. On seeing this, his men followed him across. Then he divided his army into two sections, with the cavalry centered between them, for the cavalry of the enemy were very numerous. They sounded the trumpets, and Cendebeus and his army were put to flight. Many of them fell wounded, and the rest fled to the refuge in the stronghold. Judas, the brother of John, fell wounded, but John pursued them until Cendebeus reached Kedron, which he had rebuilt. When some of the enemy fled to the towers on the plain of Azotus, John set fire to these towers, and about two thousand of the enemy perished. He then returned safely to Judea.

1ST MACCABEES: CHAPTER 16, VERSES 1 - 10