6 He saw the blasphemies being committed in Judah and Jerusalem, 7 and said,

“Alas! Why was I born to see this,

the ruin of my people, the ruin of the holy city,

and to live there when it was given over to the enemy,

the sanctuary given over to aliens?

8 Her temple has become like a person without honor;a

9 her glorious vessels have been carried into exile.

Her infants have been killed in her streets,

her youths by the sword of the foe.

10 What nation has not inherited her palacesb

and has not seized her spoils?

11 All her adornment has been taken away;

no longer free, she has become a slave.

12 And see, our holy place, our beauty,

and our glory have been laid waste;

the Gentiles have profaned them.

13 Why should we live any longer?”

14 Then Mattathias and his sons tore their clothes, put on sackcloth, and mourned greatly.