Open English Translation 1 MAC Chapter 2

2 In those days Matityah (Mattathias) the son of Yohan (John), the son of Shim’on (Simeon), a priest of the sons of Yoyariv, from Yerushalem (Jerusalem) rose up; and he lived at Modi’in. 2 And he had five sons:[fn] Yohan, who was surnamed Gadi; 3 Shim’on, who was called Thasi; 4 Yehudah, who was called Makabi (Maccabaeus); 5 Eleazar, who was called Avaran; and Yonatan (Jonathan), who was called Apfus.

6 He saw the blasphemies that were committed in Yehudah (Judah) and in Yerushalem, 7 and he said, “Woe is me! Why was I born to see the destruction of my people and the destruction of the holy city, and to live there when it was given into the hand of the enemy, the sanctuary into the hand of foreigners? 8 Her temple has become like a man who was glorious. 9 Her vessels of glory are carried away into captivity. Her infants are slain in her streets. Her young men are slain with the enemy’s sword. 10 What nation hasn’t inherited her palaces and taken possession of her spoils? 11 Her adornment has all been taken away. Instead of a free woman, she’s become a slave. 12 Listen, our holy things, our beauty, and our glory are laid waste. The Gentiles have profaned them. 13 Why should we live any longer?”

14 Matityah (Mattathias) and his sons tore their clothes, put on coarse, abrasive sackcloth, and mourned greatly.

15 And the king’s officers who were enforcing the apostasy came into the city Modi’in to sacrifice. 16 Many of Yisrael (Israel) came to them, and Matityah and his sons were gathered together. 17 The king’s officers answered and spoke to Matityah, saying, “You’re a ruler and an honourable and great man in this city, and strengthened with sons and kindred. 18 Now therefore come first and do the king’s commandment, as all the nations have done, including the men of Yehudah (Judah) and those who remain in Yerushalem (Jerusalem). You and your house will be numbered among the king’s[fn] friends, and you and your sons will be honoured with silver and gold and many gifts.”

19 And Matityah replied with a loud voice, “If all the nations that are in the house of the king’s dominion listen to him, to fall away each one from the worship of his fathers, and have made choice to follow his commandments, 20 yet I and my sons and my kindred will walk in the covenant of our fathers. 21 Far be it from us that we should forsake the law and the ordinances. 22 We won’t listen to the king’s words, to turn aside from our worship, to the right hand, or to the left.”

23 When he’d finished speaking those words, a Yehudi (Jew) came in the sight of all to sacrifice on the altar which was at Modi’in, according to the king’s commandment. 24 Matityah saw it, so his zeal was kindled, and his guts trembled, and he vented his anger according to judgement, and ran and killed him on the altar. 25 He killed the king’s officer, who compelled men to sacrifice, at the same time, and pulled down the altar. 26 He was zealous for the law, even as Pinhas did to Zimri the son of Salu.

27 Matityah cried out in the city with a loud voice, saying, “Anyone who’s zealous for the law and maintains the covenant, let him follow me!” 28 He and his sons fled into the mountains, and left all that they had in the city.

29 Then many who strived for justice and judgement went down into the wilderness to live there—30 they, their children, their wives, and their livestock—because evils were multiplied on them. 31 It was told the king’s officers and the forces that were in Yerushalem (Jerusalem), David’s city, that certain men who’d broken the king’s commandment had gone down into the secret places in the wilderness; 32 and many pursued after them, and having overtaken them, they encamped against them and set the battle in array against them on the Sabbath day. 33 They said to them, “Enough of this! Come out and do according to the king’s word, and you’ll all live!”

34 They said, “We won’t come out. We won’t do the king’s word, to profane the Sabbath day.”

35 Then the enemy hurried to attack them.

36 They didn’t answer them. They didn’t throw a stone at them, or block their secret places, 37 saying, “Let’s all die in our innocence. Heaven and earth testify for us, that you put us to death unjustly.”

38 So they attacked them on the Sabbath, and they died—they, their wives, their children, and their livestock—in number a thousand souls of men.

39 When Matityah (Mattathias) and his friends found out about it, and they mourned over them greatly. 40 One said to another, “If we all do as our kindred have done, and don’t fight against the Gentiles for our lives and our ordinances, they’ll quickly destroy us from off the earth.” 41 So they decided that day, saying, “Anyone who comes against us to battle on the Sabbath day, let’s fight against him, and we’ll in no way all die, as our kindred died in the secret places.”

42 Then a company of the Hasidim,[fn] mighty men of Yisrael (Israel), everyone who offered himself willingly for the law, were gathered together to them. 43 All those who fled from the evils were added to them, and supported them. 44 They mustered an army, and struck sinners in their anger, and lawless men in their anger. The rest fled to the Gentiles for safety. 45 And Matityah and his friends went around and pulled down the altars. 46 They forcibly circumcised the boys who were uncircumcised, as many as they found in the coasts of Yisrael. 47 They pursued the arrogant, and the work prospered in their hand. 48 They rescued the law out of the hand of the Gentiles and out of the hand of the kings. They never allowed the sinner to triumph.

49 The days of Matityah drew near that he should die, and he said to his sons, “Now pride and scorn have gained strength. It’s a season of overthrow and indignant anger. 50 Now, my children, be zealous for the law, and give your lives for the covenant of your fathers. 51 Call to remembrance the actions of our fathers which they did in their generations; and receive great glory and an eternal name. 52 Wasn’t Avraham found faithful in temptation,[ref] and it was reckoned to him for righteousness?[ref] 53 Yosef (Joseph) in the time of his distress kept the commandment,[ref] and became lord of Mitsrayim (Egypt).[ref] 54 Pinhas our father, because he was extremely zealous, obtained the covenant of an eternal priesthood.[ref] 55 Yeshua (Jesus) became a judge in Yisrael (Israel)[ref] for fulfilling the word. 56 Kalev (Caleb) obtained a heritage in the land for testifying in the congregation.[ref] 57 David inherited the throne of a kingdom forever and ever[ref] for being merciful. 58 Eliyah (Elijah) was taken up into heaven[ref] because he was extremely zealous for the law. 59 Hananyah, Azaryah, and Mishael[ref] believed, and were saved out of the flame.[ref] 60 Daniyel was delivered from the mouth of lions for his innocence.[ref]

61 “Thus consider throughout the generations that no one who put their trust in him will lack for strength. 62 Don’t be afraid of the words of a sinful man; for his glory will be dung and worms. 63 Today he’ll be lifted up, and tomorrow he’ll in no way be found, because he’s returned to dust, and his thought has perished. 64 You, my children, be strong, and show yourselves men on behalf of the law; for in it you’ll obtain glory. 65 Listen, Shim’on (Simon) your brother, whom I know to be a man of counsel. Always listen to him. He’ll be a father to you. 66 Yehudah (Judas) Makabi (Maccabaeus) has been strong and mighty from his youth. He’ll be your captain and will fight[fn] the battle of the people. 67 Rally around all the doers of the law, and avenge the wrong done to your people. 68 Repay the Gentiles, and obey the commandments of the law.”

69 He blessed them, and was gathered to his ancestors. 70 He died in[fn] the one hundred and forty sixth year, and his sons buried him in the tombs of his ancestors at Modi’in. All Yisrael (Israel) made great lamentation for him.