2 Maccabees 8:21
King James VersionSource notes
“Thus when he had made them bold with these words, and ready to die for the law and the country, he divided his army into four parts;”
Context
18For they, said he, trust in their weapons and boldness; but our confidence is in the Almighty who at a beck can cast down both them that come against us, and also all the world.
19Moreover, he recounted unto them what helps their forefathers had found, and how they were delivered, when under Sennacherib an hundred fourscore and five thousand perished.
20And he told them of the battle that they had in Babylon with the Galatians, how they came but eight thousand in all to the business, with four thousand Macedonians, and that the Macedonians being perplexed, the eight thousand destroyed an hundred and twenty thousand because of the help that they had from heaven, and so received a great booty.
21Thus when he had made them bold with these words, and ready to die for the law and the country, he divided his army into four parts;
22And joined with himself his own brethren, leaders of each band, to wit Simon, and Joseph, and Jonathan, giving each one fifteen hundred men.
23Also he appointed Eleazar to read the holy book: and when he had given them this watchword, The help of God; himself leading the first band,
24And by the help of the Almighty they slew above nine thousand of their enemies, and wounded and maimed the most part of Nicanor’s host, and so put all to flight;