1 Maccabees 3:3–9

3 He extended the glory of his people.

Like a giant he put on his breastplate;

he girded on his armor of war and waged battles,

protecting the host by his sword.

4 He was like a lion in his deeds,

like a lion’s cub roaring for prey.

5 He searched out and pursued the lawless;

he burned those who troubled his people.

6 Lawless men shrank back for fear of him;

all the evildoers were confounded;

and deliverance prospered by his hand.

7 He embittered many kings,

but he made Jacob glad by his deeds,

and his memory is blessed for ever.

8 He went through the cities of Judah;

he destroyed the ungodly out of the land;

thus he turned away wrath from Israel.

9 He was renowned to the ends of the earth;

he gathered in those who were perishing.