The Words of Judas Maccabaeus

The Words of the Hammer of God

For they trust in arms and acts of daring, but we trust in the Almighty God, who is still able with a single gesture, to strike down those who are coming against us and even the entire world.

- Judas Maccabaeus (II Maccabees 8:18)

O Lord, You did once send Your angel in the time of Hezekiah king of Judea, and he slew fully a hundred and eighty-five thousand enemies in the camp of Sennacherib. So now, O Sovereign of the heavens, I pray you also send us a good angel to carry terror and trembling before us. By the might of Your arm may these infidels who come against Your holy people be struck down.

- Judas Maccabaeus (II Maccabees 15:22-24)

It is an easy matter for many to be defeated by the hands of a few: and there is no difference in the sight of the God of heaven to deliver with a great multitude, or with a small company. For the success of war is not in the multitude of the army, but the strength that comes down from Heaven. They come against us with an insolent multitude, and with pride, to destroy us, and our wives, and our children, and to take our possessions. But we will fight for our lives and our laws. And the Lord himself will overthrow them before our face: but as for you fellow soldiers, fear them not.

- Judas Maccabaeus (I Maccabaeus 3:18-23)

Prepare yourselves, and be valiant men, and be ready against the morning, that you may fight with these nations that are assembled against us to destroy us and our sanctuary. For it is better for us to die in battle, than to see the evils of our nation, and of the holies. Nevertheless as it shall be the will of God in heaven so be it done.

- Judas Maccabaeus (I Maccabaeus 3:58-60)

Fear ye not their multitude, neither be ye afraid of their assault. Remember in what manner our fathers were saved in the Red Sea, when Pharao pursued them with a great army. And now let us cry to heaven: and the Lord will have mercy on us, and will remember the covenant of our fathers, and will destroy this army before our face this day: And all nations shall know that there is one that redeemeth and delivereth Israel.

- Judas Maccabaeus (I Maccabees 4:1-11)

Be not greedy of the plunder, for there is still war before us. And Gorgias and his army are near us in the mountain: but stand you now against our enemies, and overthrow them, and you shall take the plunder afterwards with safety.

- Judas Maccabaeus (I Maccabees 4:17-18)

Blessed art thou, O Saviour of Israel, who didst break the violence of the mighty by the hand of thy servant David, and didst deliver up the camp of the strangers into the hands of Jonathan the son of Saul and of his armourbearer. Shut up this army in the hands of thy people Israel, and let them be confounded in their host and their horsemen. Strike them with fear, and cause the boldness of their strength to languish, and let them quake at their own destruction. Cast them down with the sword of them that love thee: and let all that know thy name, praise thee with hymns.

- Judas Maccabaeus (I Maccabees 4:30-33)

Behold our enemies are scattered and defeated, let us go up now to cleanse the holy places and to mend them.

- Judas Maccabaeus (I Maccabees 4:36)

Allow no man to stay behind, but let all come to the battle.

- Judas Maccabaeus (I Maccabees 5:2)

Behold, our enemies are crushed; let us go up to cleanse the sanctuary and dedicate it.

- Judas Maccabaeus (I Maccabaeus 4:36)

Fight today for your brothers!

- Judas Maccabaeus (I Maccabaeus 5:32)

Permit no man to encamp, but make them all enter the battle.

- Judas Maccabaeus (I Maccabees 5:42)

When the messengers from the king spoke blasphemy, thy angel went forth and struck down one hundred and eighty-five thousand of the Assyrians. So also crush this army before us today; let the rest learn that Nicanor has spoken wickedly against the sanctuary, and judge him according to this wickedness.

- Judas Maccabaeus (I Maccabees 7:41-42)

Let us pass through your land to get to our land. No one will do you harm; we will simply pass by on foot.

- Judas Maccabaeus (I Maccabees 5:48)

O Lord, when they that were sent by king Sennacherib blasphemed thee, an angel went out, and slew of them a hundred and eighty-five thousand. Even so destroy this army in our sight to day, and let the rest know that he hath spoken ill against thy sanctuary: and judge thou him according to his wickedness.

- Judas Macabaeus (I Maccabees 7:41-42)

Let us arise, and go against our enemies, for we may still be able to fight against them and win.

- Judas Maccabaeus (I Maccabees 9:7)

God forbid we should ever back down and flee away from them: but if our time has truly come, let us die manfully for our brothers and let us not stain our glory.

- Judas Maccabaeus (I Maccabees 9:10)

May the LORD God bless you in the name of St. Judas Maccabaeus.