II. In those days * arose Mattathias the son of John, the son of aSimeon, a priest of the sons of bJoarib, from Jerusalem, and dwelt in cModin. 2 And he had five sons, dJoannan, * called * Caddis: 3 Simon, called Thassi: 4 eJudas, who was called Maccabeus: 5 eeEleazar, called * Avaran: and Jonathan, fwhose surname was Apphus.

6 And when he saw the blasphemies that were committed in Juda and Jerusalem, 7 he said, Woe is me, wherefore was I born to see this gmisery of my people, and of hthe holy city, and to dwell there, when it was delivered into the hand of the enemy, and the sanctuary into the hand of strangers? 8 Her temple is become as a man iwithout glory. 9 kHer glorious vessels are carried away into captivity, lher infants are slain in the streets, her young men with the sword of the enemy. 10 What nation hath not mhad a part in her kingdom, and gotten of her spoils? 11 nAll her ornaments are taken away; of a free woman she is become a bondslave. 12 And behold, our * osanctuary, even pour beauty and our glory, is laid waste, and qthe Gentiles have profaned it. 13 To what end therefore shall we live any longer? 14 Then Mattathias and his sons rrent their clothes, and rsput on sackcloth, and mourned very sore.

15 In the mean while tthe king’s officers, such as compelled the people to urevolt, came into the city cModin, to make them sacrifice. 16 And when many of Israel came unto them, Mattathias also and his sons came together. 17 Then answered tthe king’s officers, and said to Mattathias on this wise, Thou art a ruler, and an honourable and great man in this city, and vstrengthened with sons and brethren: 18 now therefore come thou first, and fulfil the king’s commandment, like was all the heathen have done, yea, and the men of Juda also, and such as remain at Jerusalem: so shalt thou and thine house be in the number of the king’s friends, and thou and thy children shall be honoured with silver and gold, and many xrewards. 19 Then Mattathias answered and spake with a loud voice, Though all the nations that are under ythe king’s dominion obey him, and ufall away every one from the zreligion of their fathers, and give consent to his commandments: 20 ayet will I and my sons and my brethren walk in the covenant of our fathers. 21 bGod forbid that we should forsake the law and the ordinances. 22 cWe will not hearken to the king’s words, to go from our dreligion, eeither on the right hand, or the left.

23 Now when he had left speaking these words, there came one of the Jews in the sight of all to sacrifice on the altar which was at fModin, according to the king’s commandment. 24 Which thing when Mattathias saw, he was inflamed with zeal, and ghis reins trembled, neither could he forbear to shew his anger haccording to judgment: wherefore he ran, and slew him upon the altar. 25 Also the king’s commissioner, who compelled men to sacrifice, he killed at that time, and the altar he pulled down. 26 Thus dealt he zealously for the law of God like as iPhinees did unto Zambri the son of Salom. 27 And Mattathias cried throughout the city with a loud voice, saying, Whosoever is zealous of the law, and maintaineth the covenant, let him follow me. 28 So jhe and his sons fled into the mountains, and left all that ever they had in the city. 29 Then many that ksought after justice and hjudgment jwent down into the wilderness, to * dwell there: 30 both they, land their children, and their wives, and their cattle; because * afflictions increased sore upon them.

31 Now when it was told the king’s servants, and mthe host that was at Jerusalem, in the city of David, that certain men, who had nbroken the king’s commandment, were gone down into othe secret places in the wilderness, 32 they pursued after them a great number, and having overtaken them, they camped against them, and made war against them on the sabbath day. 33 And they said unto them, Let that which you have done hitherto suffice; come forth, and do according to the commandment of the king, and you shall live. 34 But they said, We will not come forth, neither will we do the king’s commandment, pto profane the sabbath day. 35 So then they gave * them the battle with all speed. 36 Howbeit they answered them not, neither cast they a stone at them, nor stopped othe places where they lay hid; 37 but said, Let us die all in our * innocency: heaven and earth shall testify for us, that you put us to death wrongfully. 38 qSo they rose up against them in battle on the sabbath, and they slew them, rwith their wives and children, and their cattle, to the number of a thousand * people.

39 Now when Mattathias and his friends understood hereof, they mourned for them right sore. 40 And one of them said to another, If we all do as our brethren have done, and fight not for our lives and laws against the heathen, they will now quickly root us out of the earth. 41 At that time therefore they decreed, saying, sWhosoever shall come to make battle with us on the sabbath day, we will fight against him; neither will we die all, tas our brethren that were murdered in othe secret places. 42 Then came there unto him a company of uAsideans, who were mighty men of Israel, even all such as were voluntarily devoted unto the law. 43 Also all they that fled for persecution joined themselves unto them, and were va stay unto them. 44 So they joined their forces, and smote wsinful men in their anger, and xwicked men in their wrath: but the rest fled to the heathen for succour. 45 Then Mattathias and his friends went round about, and pulled down the altars: 46 and what children soever they found within the coast of Israel uncircumcised, those they circumcised * yvaliantly. 47 They pursued also after the proud men, and the work prospered in their hand. 48 So they recovered the law out of the hand of the Gentiles, and out of the hand of kings, neither * suffered they wthe sinner to triumph.

49 Now when the time drew near that Mattathias should die, he said unto his sons, Now hath pride and rebuke gotten strength, and the time of destruction, and the wrath of indignation: 50 now therefore, my sons, be ye zealous for the law, and give your lives for the covenant of your fathers. 51 Call to remembrance what acts our fathers did in their * time; so shall ye receive great honour and an everlasting name. 52 zWas not Abraham found faithful in temptation, aand it was imputed unto him for righteousness? 53 bJoseph in the time of his cdistress kept the commandment, dand was made lord of Egypt. 54 Phinees eour father fnin being zealous and fervent obtained the covenant of an everlasting priesthood. 55 gJesus for fulfilling the word was made a judge in Israel. 56 hCaleb for bearing witness before ithe congregation received the heritage of the land. 57 David for being kmerciful lpossessed the throne of an everlasting kingdom. 58 mElias nfor being zealous and fervent for the law was taken up into heaven. 59 oAnanias, Azarias, and Misael, by believing were saved out of the flame. 60 pDaniel for his qinnocency was delivered from the mouth of lions. 61 And thus consider ye throughout all ages, that none that put their trust in him shall be overcome. 62 rFear not then the words of a sinful man: sfor his glory shall be tdung and worms. 63 sTo day he shall be lifted up, and to morrow he shall not be found, because uxhe is returned into his dust, xand his thought is come to nothing. 64 Wherefore, you my sons, be valiant, and yshew yourselves men in the behalf of the law; for by it shall you obtain glory. 65 And behold, I know that your brother zSimon is a man of counsel, give ear unto him alway: he shall be a father unto you. 66 As for aJudas Maccabeus, he hath been mighty and strong, even bfrom his youth up: let him be your captain, and * fight the battle of the people. 67 Take also unto you all cthose that observe the law, and avenge ye the wrong of your people. 68 Recompense fully the heathen, and take heed to the commandments of the law.

69 So dhe blessed them, and ewas gathered to his fathers. 70 And he died in * the hundred forty and sixth year, and his sons buried him in the sepulchres of his fathers at fModin, and all Israel gmade great lamentation for him.