1 After Alexandros (Alexander) the person from Makedonia, the son of Filippos (Philip), who came out of Kitim, and struck Dareyavesh (Darius) king of the Persians and Madim (Medes), it happened, after he’d struck him, that he reigned in his place, in former time, over[fn] Yavan (Greece). 2 He fought many battles, won many fortresses, killed the kings of the earth, 3 went through to the ends of the earth, and took spoils of a multitude of nations. The earth was quiet before him. He grew very powerful. His heart was lifted up. 4 He gathered together an extremely strong army and ruled over countries, nations, and principalities, and they paid him tribute.

5 After those things he fell sick, and perceived that he was going to die. 6 He called his honourable servants, which had been brought up with him from his youth, and he divided to them his kingdom while he was still alive. 7 Alexandros reigned twelve years, then he died. 8 Then his servants ruled, each one in his place. 9 They all put crowns on themselves after he was dead, and so did their sons after them many years; and they multiplied evils in the earth.

10 There came out of them a sinful root, Antiokos (Antiochus) Epifanes (Epiphanes), son of Antiokos the king, who’d been a hostage at Romai (Rome), and he reigned in[fn] the one hundred and thirty seventh year of the kingdom of the Hellains (Greeks).

11 In those days transgressors of the law came out of Yisrael (Israel) and persuaded many, saying, “Let’s go make a covenant with the[fn] Gentiles around us; for since we were separated from them many evils have befallen us.” 12 That proposal was good in their eyes. 13 Some of the people eagerly went to the king, and he authorised them to observe the ordinances of the[fn] Gentiles. 14 So[fn] they built a gymnasium in Yerushalem (Jerusalem) according to the laws of the[fn] Gentiles. 15 They made themselves uncircumcised, forsook the holy covenant, joined themselves to the[fn] Gentiles, and sold themselves to do evil.

16 The kingdom was established in the sight of Antiokos, and he planned to reign over Mitsrayim (Egypt), that he might reign over both kingdoms. 17 He entered into Mitsrayim with a[fn] great multitude, with chariots, with elephants, with cavalry, and with a great[fn] navy. 18 He made war against Ptolemaios (Ptolemy) king of Mitsrayim. Ptolemaios was put to shame before him, and fled; and many fell wounded to death. 19 They took possession of the strong cities in Mitsrayim, and he took the spoils of Mitsrayim.

20 Antiokos, after he’d defeated Mitsrayim, returned in[fn] the one hundred and forty third year, and went up against Yisrael (Israel) and Yerushalem with a[fn] great multitude, 21 and entered presumptuously into the sanctuary, and took the golden altar, the lampstand for the light, and all its utensils. 22 He took the table of the show bread, the cups for the drink offerings, the bowls, the golden censers, the veil, the crowns, and the gold decoration on the front of the temple. He peeled it all off. 23 He took the silver, the gold, and the precious vessels. He took the hidden treasures which he found. 24 When he’d taken all of those, he went away into his own land. He made a great slaughter, and spoke very arrogantly. 25 Great mourning came on Yisrael, in every place where they were. 26 The rulers and elders groaned. The virgins and young men were made feeble. The beauty of the women was changed. 27 Every bridegroom took up lamentation. She who sat in the marriage chamber was mourning. 28 The land was moved for its inhabitants, and all the house of Ya’akov (Jacob) was clothed with shame.

29 After[fn] two full years, the king sent a chief collector of tribute to the cities of Yehudah (Judah), and he came to Yerushalem (Jerusalem) with a[fn] great multitude. 30 He spoke words of peace to them in subtlety, and they believed him. Then he fell onto the city suddenly, struck it very severely, and destroyed many people of Yisrael. 31 He took the spoils of the city, set it on fire, and pulled down its houses and its walls on every side. 32 They led captive the women and the children, and seized the livestock. 33 Then they fortified David’s city with a large, strong wall and with strong towers, and it became their citadel. 34 They put a sinful nation, transgressors of the law, there, and they strengthened themselves in it. 35 They stored up weapons and food, and gathering together the spoils of Yerushalem, they stored them there, and they became a great menace. 36 It became a place to lie in wait against the sanctuary, and an evil adversary to Yisrael continually. 37 They shed innocent blood on every side of the sanctuary, and defiled the sanctuary. 38 The inhabitants of Yerushalem fled because of them. She became a habitation of foreigners. She became foreign to those who were born in her, and her children forsook her. 39 Her sanctuary was laid waste like a wilderness,[fn] her feasts were turned into mourning, her Sabbaths into reproach, and her honour into contempt. 40 According to her glory, so was her dishonour multiplied, and her prestige was turned into mourning.

41 King Antiokos (Antiochus) wrote to his whole kingdom that all should be one people, 42 and that each should forsake his own laws. All the nations agreed according to the king’s word. 43 Many of Yisrael consented to his worship, sacrificed to the idols, and profaned the Sabbath. 44 The king sent letters by the hand of messengers to Yerushalem and the cities of Yehudah, that they should follow laws strange to the land, 45 and should forbid whole burnt offerings and sacrifice and drink offerings in the sanctuary; and should profane the Sabbaths and feasts, 46 and pollute the sanctuary and those who were holy; 47 that they should build altars, and temples, and shrines for idols, and should sacrifice swine’s flesh and unclean animals; 48 and that they should leave their sons uncircumcised, that they should make their souls abominable with all manner of uncleanness and profanation; 49 so that they might forget the law, and change all the ordinances. 50 Anyone who doesn’t do according to the king’s word, he’ll die. 51 According to all those words wrote he to his whole kingdom. He appointed overseers over all the people, and he commanded the cities of Yehudah to sacrifice, city by city. 52 From the people were gathered together to them many, everyone who’d forsaken the law; and they did evil things in the land. 53 They made Yisrael (Israel) to hide themselves in every place of refuge which they had.

54 On the fifteenth day of Kislev, in[fn] the one hundred and forty fifth year, they built an abomination of desolation on the altar,[fn] and in the cities of Yehudah (Judah) on every side they built idol altars.[fn] 55 At the doors of the houses and in the streets they burnt incense. 56 They tore the books of the law which they found in pieces and set them on fire. 57 Anyone who was found with any a book of the covenant, and if any consented to the law, the king’s sentence delivered him to death. 58 Thus did they in their might to Yisrael, to those who were found month by month in the cities. 59 On the twenty-fifth day of the month they sacrificed on the idol altar that was on top of the altar of burnt offering. 60 They[fn] put to death women who’d circumcised their children, according to the commandment. 61 They hung their babies around their necks, and their houses, and those who’d circumcised them. 62 Many in Yisrael were fully resolved and confirmed in themselves not to eat unclean things. 63 They[fn] chose to die, that they might not be defiled with the food, and that they might not profane the holy covenant; and they died. 64 Very great anger came on Yisrael.

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.

3 His son Yehudah, who was called Makabi, rose up in his place. 2 All his kindred helped him, and so did all those who joined with his father, and they fought with gladness the battle of Yisrael. 3 He got his people great glory, and put on a breastplate like a giant, and bound his warlike harness around him, and set battles in array, protecting the army with his sword. 4 He was like a lion in his actions, and like a lion’s cub roaring for prey. 5 He hunted and pursued the lawless, and he burnt up those who troubled his people. 6 The lawless shrunk back for fear of him, and all the workers of lawlessness were very troubled, and deliverance prospered in his hand. 7 He angered many kings and made Ya’akov (Jacob) glad with his acts. His memory is blessed forever. 8 He went through the cities of Yehudah, destroyed the ungodly[fn] out of the land, and turned away anger from Yisrael. 9 He was renowned to the utmost part of the earth. He gathered together those who were ready to perish.

10 Apolonios gathered the Gentiles together with a great army from Shomron (Samaria) to fight against Yisrael. 11 Yehudah learnt of it, and he went out to meet him, struck him, and killed him. Many fell wounded to death, and the rest fled. 12 They took their spoils, and Yehudah took Apolonios’ sword, and he fought with it all his days.

13 Seron, the commander of Aram’s (Syria’s) army, heard that Yehudah had gathered a large company, including a body of faithful men who stayed with him, went out to war. 14 He said, “I’ll make myself a name and get myself glory in the kingdom. I’ll fight against Yehudah and those who are with him, who despise the king’s command. 15 A mighty army of the ungodly went up with him to help him, to take vengeance on the Israeli people.

16 He came near to the ascent of Beyt-Horon, and Yehudah went out to meet him with a small company. 17 But when they saw the army coming to meet them, they said to Yehudah, “How can our small group fight against such a large, strong army? We’re exhausted, and we haven’t eaten anything today.”

18 Yehudah said, “It’s an easy thing for many to be hemmed in by the hands of a few. With[fn] heaven it’s all one, to save by many or by few; 19 for victory in battle stands not in the multitude of an army, but strength is from heaven. 20 They come to us in fullness of insolence and lawlessness, to destroy us and our wives and our children, and to plunder us, 21 but we fight for our lives and our laws. 22 He himself will crush them before our face; but as for you, don’t be afraid of them.

23 Now when he’d finished speaking, he rushed suddenly against Seron and his army, and they were defeated before him. 24 They pursued them down the descent of Beyt-Horon to the plain, and about eight hundred men of them fell; but the rest fled into the land of the Pelishtim.

25 The fear of Yehudah and his kindred, and the dread of them, began to fall on the nations around them. 26 His fame reached the king, and every nation told of the battles of Yehudah.

27 But when King Antiokos (Antiochus) heard those words, he was full of indignation; and he sent and gathered together all the forces of his realm, an extremely strong army. 28 He opened his treasury and gave his forces pay for a year, and commanded them to be ready for every need. 29 He saw that the money was gone from his treasures, and that the tributes of the country were small, because of the dissension and disaster which he’d brought on the land, to the end that he might take away the laws which had been from the first days. 30 He was afraid that he wouldn’t have enough as at other times for the charges and the gifts which he used to give with a liberal hand, more abundantly than the kings who were before him. 31 And he was extremely perplexed in his mind, and he determined to go into Paras (Persia), and to take the tributes of those countries, and to gather much money. 32 He left Lusias, an honourable man, and one of royal lineage, to be over the affairs of the king from the river Perat (Euphrates) to the borders of Mitsrayim (Egypt), 33 and to bring up his son Antiokos, until he came again. 34 He delivered to Lusias half of his forces and the elephants, and gave him charge of all the things that he’d have done, and about those who lived in Yehudah and in Yerushalem (Jerusalem), 35 that he should send an army against them to root out and destroy the strength of Yisrael (Israel) and the remnant of Yerushalem, and to take away their memory from the place, 36 and that he should make foreigners live in all their territory, and should divide their land to them by lot. 37 The king took the half that remained of the forces, and left Antiokeia, his royal city, in the one hundred and forty seventh year;[fn] and he passed over the river Perat, and went through the upper countries.

38 Lusias chose Ptolemaios (Ptolemy) the son of Dorumenes, Nikanor, and Gorgias, mighty men of the king’s friends;[fn] 39 and with them, he sent forty thousand infantry and seven thousand cavalry to go into Yehudah and to destroy it, according to the king’s word. 40 They set out with all their army, and came and encamped near Emmaous in the plain country. 41 The merchants of the country heard of their fame, and took silver and gold in large quantities, and fetters,[fn] and came into the camp to take the Israeli people for slaves. Forces of Aram (Syria) and of the land of the Pelishtim[fn] joined with them.

42 Yehudah and his kindred saw that evils were multiplied, and that the forces were encamping in their borders. They learnt about the king’s words which he’d commanded, to destroy the people and make an end of them. 43 Then they each said to his neighbour, “Let’s repair the ruins of our people. Let’s fight for our people and the holy place.” 44 The congregation was gathered together, that they might be ready for battle, and that they might pray and ask for mercy and compassion. 45 Yerushalem (Jerusalem) was without inhabitant like a wilderness. There was none of her offspring who went in or went out. The sanctuary was trampled down. Children of foreigners were in the citadel. The Gentiles lived there. Joy was taken away from Ya’akov (Jacob), and the pipe and the harp ceased. 46 They gathered themselves together, and came to Mitspah, near Yerushalem; for in Mitspah there used to be a place of prayer for Yisrael. 47 They fasted that day, put on coarse, abrasive sackcloth, put ashes on their heads, tore their clothes, 48 and opened the book of the law, to learn about the things for which the Gentiles consulted the images of their idols. 49 They brought the priests’ clothes, the first fruits, and the one-tenth contributions. They stirred up the Nazarites, who’d accomplished their days. 50 They cried aloud towards heaven, saying, “What should we do with these men? Where should we carry them away? 51 Your holy place is trampled down and profaned. Your priests mourn in humiliation. 52 Listen, the Gentiles are assembled together against us to destroy us. You know what things they imagine against us. 53 How will we be able to stand against them, unless you help us?” 54 They sounded with the trumpets, and gave a loud shout.

55 And after this Yehudah (Judas) appointed leaders of the people: captains of thousands, captains of hundreds, captains of fifties, and captains of tens. 56 He said to those who were building houses, were betrothing wives, were planting vineyards, and were fearful, that they should return, each man to his own house, according to the law. 57 The army marched out and encamped on the south side of Emmaous. 58 Yehudah said, “Arm yourselves and be valiant men! Be ready in the morning to fight with these Gentiles who are assembled together against us to destroy us and our holy place. 59 Because it’s better for us to die in battle than to see the calamities of our nation and the holy place. 60 Nevertheless, as may be the will in heaven, so will he do.