to fear the coming of
the heathen against them, but to remember the help which in
former times they had received from heaven, and now to expect
the victory and aid, which should come unto them from the
Almighty.

2 Mac 15:9
And so comforting them out of the law and the prophets, and
withal putting them in mind of the battles that they won afore,
he made them more cheerful.

2 Mac 15:10
And when he had stirred up their minds, he gave them their
charge, shewing them therewithall the falsehood of the heathen,
and the breach of oaths.

2 Mac 15:11
Thus he armed every one of them, not so much with defence of
shields and spears, as with comfortable and good words: and
beside that, he told them a dream worthy to be believed, as if
it had been so indeed, which did not a little rejoice them.

2 Mac 15:12
And this was his vision: That Onias, who had been high
priest, a virtuous and a good man, reverend in conversation,
gentle in condition, well spoken also, and exercised from a
child in all points of virtue, holding up his hands prayed for
the whole body of the Jews.

2 Mac 15:13
This done, in like manner there appeared a man with gray
hairs, and exceeding glorious, who was of a wonderful and
excellent majesty.

2 Mac 15:14
Then Onias answered, saying, This is a lover of the brethren,
who prayeth much for the people, and for the holy city, to wit,
Jeremias the prophet of God.

2 Mac 15:15
Whereupon Jeremias holding forth his right hand gave to Judas
a sword of gold, and in giving it spake thus,

2 Mac 15:16
Take this holy sword, a gift from God, with the which thou
shalt wound the adversaries.

2 Mac 15:17
Thus being well comforted by the words of Judas, which were
very good, and able to stir them up to valour, and to encourage
the hearts of the young men, they determined not to pitch camp,
but courageously to set upon them, and manfully to try the
matter by conflict, because the city and the sanctuary and the
temple were in danger.

2 Mac 15:18
For the care that they took for their wives, and their
children, their brethren, and folks, was in least account with
them: but the greatest and principal fear was for the holy
temple.

2 Mac 15:19
Also they that were in the city took not the least care,
being troubled for the conflict abroad.

2 Mac 15:20
And now, when as all looked what should be the trial, and the
enemies were already come near, and the army was set in array,
and the beasts conveniently