[14] Then Mattathias and his sons rent their clothes, and put on sackcloth, and mourned very sore.
[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. [16] And when many of Israel came unto them, Mattathias also and his sons came together.
[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: [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.
[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: [20] Yet will I and my sons and my brethren walk in the covenant of our fathers. [21] God forbid that we should forsake the law and the ordinances. [22] We will not hearken to the king’s words, to go from our religion, either 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 Modin, according to the king’s commandment. [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.
[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 Phinees 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 he and his sons fled into the mountains, and left all that ever they had in the city.
[29] Then many that sought after justice and judgment went down into the wilderness, to dwell there: [30] Both they, and 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 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, [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 ye have done hitherto suffice; come forth, and do according to the commandment of the king, and ye shall live.
[34] But they said, We will not come forth, neither will we do the king’s commandment, to 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 the places where they lay hid; [37] But said, Let us die all in our innocency: heaven and earth will testify for us, that ye put us to death wrongfully. [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.
[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, 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 in the secret places.
[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. [43] Also all they that fled for persecution joined themselves unto them, and were a stay unto them. [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.
[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 valiantly. [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 the 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] Was not Abraham found faithful in temptation, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness? [53] Joseph in the time of his distress kept the commandment and was made lord of Egypt. [54] Phinees our father in being zealous and fervent obtained the covenant of an everlasting priesthood.
[55] Jesus for fulfilling the word was made a judge in Israel. [56] Caleb for bearing witness before the congregation received the heritage of the land. [57] David for being merciful possessed the throne of an everlasting kingdom. [58] Elias for being zealous and fervent for the law was taken up into heaven. [59] Ananias, Azarias, and Misael, by believing were saved out of the flame. [60] Daniel for his innocency 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] Fear not then the words of a sinful man: for his glory shall be 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.
[64] Wherefore, ye my sons, be valiant and shew yourselves men in the behalf of the law; for by it shall ye obtain 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. [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.
[67] Take also unto you all those 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 he blessed them, and was 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 Modin, and all Israel made great lamentation for him.
Chapter 3
[1] Then his son Judas, called Maccabeus, rose up in his stead. [2] And all his brethren helped him, and so did all they that held with his father, and they fought with cheerfulness the battle of Israel. [3] So he gat his people great honour, and put on a breastplate as a giant, and girt his warlike harness about him, and he made battles, protecting the host with his sword.
[4] In his acts he was like a lion, and like a lion’s whelp roaring for his prey. [5] For He pursued the wicked, and sought them out, and burnt up those that vexed his people. [6] Wherefore the wicked shrunk for fear of him, and all the workers of iniquity were troubled, because salvation prospered in his hand.
[7] He grieved also many kings, and made Jacob glad with his acts, and his memorial is blessed for ever. [8] Moreover he went through the cities of Juda, destroying the ungodly out of them, and turning away wrath from Israel: [9] So that he was renowned unto the utmost part of the earth, and he received unto him such as were ready to perish.
[10] Then Apollonius gathered the Gentiles together, and a great host out of Samaria, to fight against Israel. [11] Which thing when Judas perceived, he went forth to meet him, and so he smote him, and slew him: many also fell down slain, but the rest fled. [12] Wherefore Judas took their spoils, and Apollonius’ sword also, and therewith he fought all his life long.
[13] Now when Seron, a prince
of the army of Syria, heard say that Judas had gathered unto him a multitude and company of the faithful to go out with him to war; [14] He said, I will get me a name and honour in the kingdom; for I will go fight with Judas and them that are with him, who despise the king’s commandment. [15] So he made him ready to go up, and there went with him a mighty host of the ungodly to help him, and to be avenged of the children of Israel. [16] And when he came near to the going up of Bethhoron, Judas went forth to meet him with a small company: [17] Who, when they saw the host coming to meet them, said unto Judas, How shall we be able, being so few, to fight against so great a multitude and so strong, seeing we are ready to faint with fasting all this day?
[18] Unto whom Judas answered, It is no hard matter for many to be shut up in the hands of a few; and with the God of heaven it is all one, to deliver with a great multitude, or a small company: [19] For the victory of battle standeth not in the multitude of an host; but strength cometh from heaven. [20] They come against us in much pride and iniquity to destroy us, and our wives and children, and to spoil us: [21] But we fight for our lives and our laws. [22] Wherefore the Lord himself will overthrow them before our face: and as for you, be ye not afraid of them.
[23] Now as soon as he had left off speaking, he leapt suddenly upon them, and so Seron and his host was overthrown before him. [24] And they pursued them from the going down of Bethhoron unto the plain, where were slain about eight hundred men of them; and the residue fled into the land of the Philistines. [25] Then began the fear of Judas and his brethren, and an exceeding great dread, to fall upon the nations round about them: [26] Insomuch as his fame came unto the king, and all nations talked of the battles of Judas.
[27] Now when king Antiochus heard these things, he was full of indignation: wherefore he sent and gathered together all the forces of his realm, even a very strong army. [28] He opened also his treasure, and gave his soldiers pay for a year, commanding them to be ready whensoever he should need them.
[29] Nevertheless, when he saw that the money of his treasures failed and that the tributes in the country were small, because of the dissension and plague, which he had brought upon the land in taking away the laws which had been of old time; [30] He feared that he should not be able to bear the charges any longer, nor to have such gifts to give so liberally as he did before: for he had abounded above the kings that were before him.
[31] Wherefore, being greatly perplexed in his mind, he determined to go into Persia, there to take the tributes of the countries, and to gather much money. [32] So he left Lysias, a nobleman, and one of the blood royal, to oversee the affairs of the king from the river Euphrates unto the borders of Egypt: [33] And to bring up his son Antiochus, until he came again.
[34] Moreover he delivered unto him the half of his forces, and the elephants, and gave him charge of all things that he would have done, as also concerning them that dwelt in Juda and Jerusalem: [35] To wit, that he should send an army against them, to destroy and root out the strength of Israel, and the remnant of Jerusalem, and to take away their memorial from that place; [36] And that he should place strangers in all their quarters, and divide their land by lot. [37] So the king took the half of the forces that remained, and departed from Antioch, his royal city, the hundred forty and seventh year; and having passed the river Euphrates, he went through the high countries.
[38] Then Lysias chose Ptolemee the son of Dorymenes, Nicanor, and Gorgias, mighty men of the king’s friends: [39] And with them he sent forty thousand footmen, and seven thousand horsemen, to go into the land of Juda, and to destroy it, as the king commanded. [40] So they went forth with all their power, and came and pitched by Emmaus in the plain country.
[41] And the merchants of the country, hearing the fame of them, took silver and gold very much, with servants, and came into the camp to buy the children of Israel for slaves: a power also of Syria and of the land of the Philistines joined themselves unto them.
[42] Now when Judas and his brethren saw that miseries were multiplied, and that the forces did encamp themselves in their borders: for they knew how the king had given commandment to destroy the people, and utterly abolish them; [43] They said one to another, Let us restore the decayed fortune of our people, and let us fight for our people and the sanctuary.
[44] Then was the congregation gathered together, that they might be ready for battle, and that they might pray, and ask mercy and compassion.
[45] Now Jerusalem lay void as a wilderness, there was none of her children that went in or out: the sanctuary also was trodden down, and aliens kept the strong hold; the heathen had their habitation in that place; and joy was taken from Jacob, and the pipe with the harp ceased. [46] Wherefore the Israelites assembled themselves together, and came to Maspha, over against Jerusalem; for in Maspha was the place where they prayed aforetime in Israel.
[47] Then they fasted that day, and put on sackcloth, and cast ashes upon their heads, and rent their clothes, [48] And laid open the book of the law, wherein the heathen had sought to paint the likeness of their images. [49] They brought also the priests’ garments, and the firstfruits, and the tithes: and the Nazarites they stirred up, who had accomplished their days.
[50] Then cried they with a loud voice toward heaven, saying, What shall we do with these, and whither shall we carry them away? [51] For thy sanctuary is trodden down and profaned, and thy priests are in heaviness, and brought low. [52] And lo, the heathen are assembled together against us to destroy us: what things they imagine against us, thou knowest. [53] How shall we be able to stand against them, except thou, O God, be our help? [54] Then sounded they with trumpets, and cried with a loud voice.
[55] And after this Judas ordained captains over the people, even captains over thousands, and over hundreds, and over fifties, and over tens. [56] But as for such as were building houses, or had betrothed wives, or were planting vineyards, or were fearful, those he commanded that they should return, every man to his own house, according to the law.
[57] So the camp removed, and pitched upon the south side of Emmaus. [58] And Judas said, arm yourselves, and be valiant men, and see that ye be in readiness against the morning, that ye may fight with these nations, that are assembled together against us to destroy us and our sanctuary: [59] For it is better for us to die in battle, than to behold the calamities of our people and our sanctuary. [60] Nevertheless, as the will of God is in heaven, so let him do.
Chapter 4
[1] Then took Gorgias five thousand footmen, and a thousand of the best horsemen, and removed out of the camp by night; [2] To the end he might rush in upon the camp of the Jews, and smite them suddenly. And the men of the fortress were his guides. [3] Now when Judas heard thereof he himself removed, and the valiant men with him, that he might smite the king’s army which was at Emmaus, [4] While as yet the forces were dispersed from the camp.
[5] In the mean season came Gorgias by night into the camp of Judas: and when he found no man there, he sought them in the mountains: for said he, These fellows flee from us
[6] But as soon as it was day, Judas shewed himself in the plain with three thousand men, who nevertheless had neither armour nor swords to their minds. [7] And they saw the camp of the heathen, that it was strong and well harnessed, and compassed round about with horsemen; and these were expert of war.
[8] Then said Judas to the men that were with him, Fear ye not their multitude, neither be ye afraid of their assault. [9] Remember how our fathers were delivered in the Red sea, when Pharaoh pursued them with an army. [10] Now therefore let us cry unto heaven, if peradventure the Lord will have mercy upon us, and remember the covenant of our fathers, and destroy this host before our face this day: [11] That so all the heathen may know that there is one who delivereth and saveth Israel.
[12] Then the strangers lifted up their eyes, and saw them coming over against them. [13] Wherefore they went out of the camp to battle; but they that were with Judas sounded their trumpets. [14] So they joined battle, and the heathen
being discomfited fled into the plain. [15] Howbeit all the hindmost of them were slain with the sword: for they pursued them unto Gazera, and unto the plains of Idumea, and Azotus, and Jamnia, so that there were slain of them upon a three thousand men.
[16] This done, Judas returned again with his host from pursuing them, [17] And said to the people, Be not greedy of the spoil inasmuch as there is a battle before us, [18] And Gorgias and his host are here by us in the mountain: but stand ye now against our enemies, and overcome them, and after this ye may boldly take the spoils.
[19] As Judas was yet speaking these words, there appeared a part of them looking out of the mountain: [20] Who when they perceived that the Jews had put their host to flight and were burning the tents; for the smoke that was seen declared what was done: [21] When therefore they perceived these things, they were sore afraid, and seeing also the host of Judas in the plain ready to fight, [22] They fled every one into the land of strangers. [23] Then Judas returned to spoil the tents, where they got much gold, and silver, and blue silk, and purple of the sea, and great riches. [24] After this they went home, and sung a song of thanksgiving, and praised the Lord in heaven: because it is good, because his mercy endureth forever. [25] Thus Israel had a great deliverance that day.
[26] Now all the strangers that had escaped came and told Lysias what had happened: [27] Who, when he heard thereof, was confounded and discouraged, because neither such things as he would were done unto Israel, nor such things as the king commanded him were come to pass.
[28] The next year therefore following Lysias gathered together threescore thousand choice men of foot, and five thousand horsemen, that he might subdue them. [29] So they came into Idumea, and pitched their tents at Bethsura, and Judas met them with ten thousand men.
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