1 Maccabees, 2

1. In those days arose Mattathias the son of John, the son of Simeon, a priest of the sons of Joarib, from Jerusalem, and dwelt in Modin.

1. In those days Mattathias, son of Simon, a priest of the family of Yoarib, left Jerusalem and went to settle in Modein.

2. And he had five sons, Joannan, called Caddis:

2. He had five sons: John, known as Gaddi,

3. Simon; called Thassi:

3. Simon called Thassi,

4. Judas, who was called Maccabeus:

4. Judas called Maccabeus,

5. Eleazar, called Avaran: and Jonathan, whose surname was Apphus.

5. Eleazar called Avaran, and Jonathan called Apphus.

6. And when he saw the blasphemies that were committed in Juda and Jerusalem,

6. Mattathias saw the blasphemies committed in Judah and Jerusalem,

7. He said, Woe is me! wherefore was I born to see this misery of my people, and of the holy city, and to dwell there, when it was delivered into the hand of the enemy, and the sanctuary into the hand of strangers?

7. so he said: "Alas! Was I born just to witness the ruin of my people and the destruction of the holy city? Shall I sit by while she is in the hands of her enemies and her sanctuary in the power of foreigners?

8. Her temple is become as a man without glory.

8. Her temple has become like a dishonored man,

9. Her glorious vessels are carried away into captivity, her infants are slain in the streets, her young men with the sword of the enemy.

9. the precious objects that were her glory have been carried off as booty, her babies have been murdered in the squares, and her young men killed by the sword of the enemy.

10. What nation hath not had a part in her kingdom and gotten of her spoils?

10. What nation has not received part of her treasures and taken possession of her spoils?

11. All her ornaments are taken away; of a free woman she is become a bondslave.

11. She has been stripped of all her adornments and from the freedom that was hers, she has gone into slavery.

12. And, behold, our sanctuary, even our beauty and our glory, is laid waste, and the Gentiles have profaned it.

12. Our beautiful sanctuary that was our pride has been laid waste and profaned by pagans.

13. To what end therefore shall we live any longer?

13. What is there to live for?"

14. Then Mattathias and his sons rent their clothes, and put on sackcloth, and mourned very sore.

14. Mattathias and his sons tore their clothes, put on sackcloth and went into deep mourning.

15. In the mean while the king's officers, such as compelled the people to revolt, came into the city Modin, to make them sacrifice.

15. In the meantime, the king's representatives, who were forcing the Jews to give up their religion came to Modein to organize a sacred gathering.

16. And when many of Israel came unto them, Mattathias also and his sons came together.

16. While many Israelites went to them, Mattathias and his sons drew apart.

17. Then answered the king's officers, and said to Mattathias on this wise, Thou art a ruler, and an honourable and great man in this city, and strengthened with sons and brethren:

17. The representatives of the king addressed Mattathias, and said to him: "You are one of the leaders of this city, an important and well-known man, and your many children and relatives follow you.

18. Now therefore come thou first, and fulfil the king's commandment, like as all the heathen have done, yea, and the men of Juda also, and such as remain at Jerusalem: so shalt thou and thy house be in the number of the king's friends, and thou and thy children shall be honoured with silver and gold, and many rewards.

18. Come now and be the first to fulfill the king's order, as the men of Judah have already done, and the survivors in Jerusalem as well. You and your sons will be named Friends of the King and the king will send you gold, silver and many other gifts."

19. Then Mattathias answered and spake with a loud voice, Though all the nations that are under the king's dominion obey him, and fall away every one from the religion of their fathers, and give consent to his commandments:

19. But Mattathias answered in a loud voice: "Even if all the nations included in the kingdom should abandon the religion of their fathers and submit to the order of King Antiochus,

20. Yet will I and my sons and my brethren walk in the covenant of our fathers.

20. I, my sons and my family will remain faithful to the Covenant of our fathers.

21. God forbid that we should forsake the law and the ordinances.

21. May God preserve us from abandoning the Law and its precepts.

22. We will not hearken to the king's words, to go from our religion, either on the right hand, or the left.

22. We will not obey the orders of the king nor turn aside from our religion either to the right or to 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 Modin, according to the king's commandment.

23. When he finished speaking these words, a Jew came forward in the sight of everyone to offer incense on the altar that was built in Modein according to the king's decree.

24. Which thing when Mattathias saw, he was inflamed with zeal, and his reins trembled, neither could he forbear to shew his anger according to judgment: wherefore he ran, and slew him upon the altar.

24. When Mattathias saw him, he was fired with zeal, his heart was stirred, and giving vent to his righteous anger, he threw himself on the Jew and cut the man's throat on the altar.

25. Also the king's commissioner, who compelled men to sacrifice, he killed at that time, and the altar he pulled down.

25. At the same time, he killed the king's representative who was forcing the people to offer sacrifice, and then tore down the altar.

26. Thus dealt he zealously for the law of God like as Phinees did unto Zambri the son of Salom.

26. In doing this he showed his zeal for the Law, as Phinehas had done with Zimri, son of Salu.

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.

27. Mattathias then began to proclaim loudly in the city: "Everyone who is zealous for the Law and supports the Covenant, come out and follow me!"

28. So he and his sons fled into the mountains, and left all that ever they had in the city.

28. Immediately he and his sons fled to the mountains and left behind all they had in the city.

29. Then many that sought after justice and judgment went down into the wilderness, to dwell there:

29. Many Jews who looked for justice and wanted to be faithful to the Law went into the desert;

30. Both they, and their children, and their wives; and their cattle; because afflictions increased sore upon them.

30. they took with them their children, wives and livestock because life had become unbearable for them.

31. Now when it was told the king's servants, and the host that was at Jerusalem, in the city of David, that certain men, who had broken the king's commandment, were gone down into the secret places in the wilderness,

31. Then the king's representatives and the authority in the city of David, in Jerusalem, were informed that some men had disobeyed the king's order and had gone to hide in the caves in the desert.

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.

32. A strong force of the king pursued and overtook them. They surrounded them and prepared themselves for an attack. It was the day of the Sabbath.

33. And they said unto them, Let that which ye have done hitherto suffice; come forth, and do according to the commandment of the king, and ye shall live.

33. And they said to the Jews: "Enough of this! Come out and obey the king's order if you wish to save your lives."

34. But they said, We will not come forth, neither will we do the king's commandment, to profane the sabbath day.

34. But they answered: "We will neither come out nor obey the king's order to violate the day of the Sabbath."

35. So then they gave them the battle with all speed.

35. So they attacked them at once,

36. Howbeit they answered them not, neither cast they a stone at them, nor stopped the places where they lay hid;

36. but the Jews did not defend them-selves, nor did they try to close the entrance of their place of refuge.

37. But said, Let us die all in our innocency: heaven and earth will testify for us, that ye put us to death wrongfully.

37. They said: "We shall die with a clear conscience but heaven and earth will remember that we were murdered."

38. So they rose up against them in battle on the sabbath, and they slew them, with their wives and children and their cattle, to the number of a thousand people.

38. The king's men attacked them on that Sabbath, and they all died - men, women and children - a total of more than a thousand, not counting the livestock.

39. Now when Mattathias and his friends understood hereof, they mourned for them right sore.

39. When Mattathias and his friends came to know what happened, they went into deep mourning.

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.

40. They said to one another: "We cannot do as our brothers have done; we shall fight against the pagans to defend our life and our customs; otherwise, they will quickly destroy us."

41. At that time therefore they decreed, saying, Whosoever shall come to make battle with us on the sabbath day, we will fight against him; neither will we die all, as our brethren that were murdered im the secret places.

41. On that day, they resolved to defend themselves against anyone who attacked them on the day of the Sabbath, and not let themselves be killed, as had happened with their people in the hiding place.

42. Then came there unto him a company of Assideans who were mighty men of Israel, even all such as were voluntarily devoted unto the law.

42. At that time, a group of Hasideans (the Devout), valiant Israelites who devoted themselves sincerely to the Law, joined them.

43. Also all they that fled for persecution joined themselves unto them, and were a stay unto them.

43. All those who wanted to escape from oppression joined them, and in this way they grew strong.

44. So they joined their forces, and smote sinful men in their anger, and wicked men in their wrath: but the rest fled to the heathen for succour.

44. They succeeded in forming an army; then they began to pour their anger and indignation onto the sinners and renegades. These men had to flee to other lands for safety.

45. Then Mattathias and his friends went round about, and pulled down the altars:

45. Mattathias and his friends made expeditions during which they destroyed the altars,

46. And what children soever they found within the coast of Israel uncircumcised, those they circumcised valiantly.

46. imposed by force the rite of circumcision on the children they found uncircumcised,

47. They pursued also after the proud men, and the work prospered in their hand.

47. and pursued all the arrogant. The undertaking prospered in their hands.

48. So they recovered the law out of the hand of the Gentiles, and out of the hand of kings, neither suffered they the sinner to triumph.

48. They defended the Law against foreigners and their kings, and subdued the renegades.

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:

49. When Mattathias neared his death, he said to his sons: "Now the insolent and the violent are in power; it is a time of upheaval in which God releases his anger.

50. Now therefore, my sons, be ye zealous for the law, and give your lives for the covenant of your fathers.

50. So, my sons, be zealous for the Law and risk your lives defending the Covenant of our fathers.

51. Call to remembrance what acts our fathers did in their time; so shall ye receive great honour and an everlasting name.

51. Remember the deeds our fathers fulfilled in their time, that you too may have fame and glory.

52. Was not Abraham found faithful in temptation, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness?

52. Remember Abraham who proved himself faithful in the hour of trial, and how God held him to be a righteous man.

53. Joseph in the time of his distress kept the commandment and was made lord of Egypt.

53. Joseph, at the time of his misfortune observed the commandment of God and so became the lord of Egypt.

54. Phinees our father in being zealous and fervent obtained the covenant of an everlasting priesthood.

54. Phinehas, our father, because of his great zeal received the priesthood for himself and for his sons forever.

55. Jesus for fulfilling the word was made a judge in Israel.

55. Joshua became head of Israel because he carried out God's command.

56. Caleb for bearing witness before the congregation received the heritage of the land.

56. Caleb received his inheritance in this land because he had proclaimed the truth before the assembly.

57. David for being merciful possessed the throne of an everlasting kingdom.

57. And David was given a lasting kingdom because of his devotion.

58. Elias for being zealous and fervent for the law was taken up into heaven.

58. Elijah because of his zeal for the Law was taken up into heaven.

59. Ananias, Azarias, and Misael, by believing were saved out of the flame.

59. Hananiah, Azariah and Mishael were saved from the flames because of their faith.

60. Daniel for his innocency was delivered from the mouth of lions.

60. Daniel was rescued from the lion's mouth because of his righteousness.

61. And thus consider ye throughout all ages, that none that put their trust in him shall be overcome.

61. Consider, then, that in any generation those who trust in God are never defeated.

62. Fear not then the words of a sinful man: for his glory shall be dung and worms.

62. Do not fear the threats of an impious man, for his glory shall end in dung and worms.

63. To day he shall be lifted up and to morrow he shall not be found, because he is returned into his dust, and his thought is come to nothing.

63. Today he is exalted, but tomorrow he shall perish; he shall return to dust from where he came, and nothing shall remain of his plans.

64. Wherefore, ye my sons, be valiant and shew yourselves men in the behalf of the law; for by it shall ye obtain glory.

64. Have courage, my sons, and remain steadfast in the Law for in this you will receive glory.

65. And behold, I know that your brother Simon is a man of counsel, give ear unto him alway: he shall be a father unto you.

65. I know that among you, Simon is a man of sound judgment; listen to him and he shall take your father's place.

66. As for Judas Maccabeus, he hath been mighty and strong, even from his youth up: let him be your captain, and fight the battle of the people.

66. Judas Maccabeus has been valiant from his youth: let him be your general and conduct the war against foreigners.

67. Take also unto you all those that observe the law, and avenge ye the wrong of your people.

67. Now, call all those who fulfill the Law to join you and defend our people.

68. Recompense fully the heathen, and take heed to the commandments of the law.

68. Retaliate against the pagans and fulfill the ordinance of the Law."

69. So he blessed them, and was gathered to his fathers.

69. Mattathias blessed them and then went to join 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 Modin, and all Israel made great lamentation for him.

70. He died in the year one hundred and forty-six and they buried him in the tomb of his fathers at Modein; and all Israel mourned him deeply.