15 ²⁰ When all were now looking forward to the coming decision, and the enemy was already close at hand with their army drawn up for battle, the elephants strategically stationed and the cavalry deployed on the flanks, 15 ²¹ Maccabeus, perceiving the hosts that were before him and the varied supply of arms and the savagery of the elephants, stretched out his hands toward heaven and called upon the Lord who works wonders; for he knew that it is not by arms, but as the Lord decides, that he gains the victory for those who deserve it. 15 ²² And he called upon him in these words: " O Lord, You sent your angel in the time of Hezekiah king of Judea, and he slew fully a hundred and eighty-five thousand in the camp of Sennacherib. 15 ²³ So now, O Sovereign of the heavens, send a good angel to carry terror and trembling before us. 15 ²⁴ By the might of your arm may these blasphemers who come against your holy people be struck down." With these words he ended his prayer.

15 ²⁵ Nicanor and his men advanced with trumpets and battle songs; 15 ²⁶ and Judas and his men met the enemy in battle with invocation to God and prayers. 15 ²⁷ So, fighting with their hands and praying to God in their hearts, they laid low no less than thirty-five thousand men, and were greatly gladdened by God's manifestation.

15 ²⁸ When the action was over and they were returning with joy, they recognized Nicanor, lying dead, in full armor. 15 ²⁹ Then there was shouting and tumult, and they blessed the Sovereign Lord in the language of their fathers. 15 ³⁰ And the man who was ever in body and soul the defender of his fellow citizens, the man who maintained his youthful good will toward his countrymen, ordered them to cut off Nicanor's head and arm and carry them to Jerusalem. 15 ³¹ And when he arrived there and had called his countrymen together and stationed the priests before the altar, he sent for those who were in the citadel. 15 ³² He showed them the vile Nicanor's head and that profane man's arm, which had been boastfully stretched out against the holy house of the Almighty; 15 ³³ and he cut out the tongue of the ungodly Nicanor and said that he would give it piecemeal to the birds and hang up these rewards of his folly opposite the sanctuary. 15 ³⁴ And they all, looking to heaven, blessed the Lord who had manifested himself, saying, "Blessed is he who has kept his own place undefiled." 15 ³⁵ And he hung Nicanor's head from the citadel, a clear and conspicuous sign to every one of the help of the Lord. 15 ³⁶ And they all decreed by public vote never to let this day go unobserved, but to celebrate the thirteenth day of the twelfth month - which is called Adar in the Syrian language - the day before Mordecai's day.