4. Judas, called Maccabeus;
5. Eleazar, called Avaran; and Jonathan, called Apphus.
6. Mattathias saw the offensive actions against God that were taking place in Judah and Jerusalem.
7. He said:"Horrible! Why was I born to see this—the ruin of my people,the ruin of the holy city?Why was I born to live there when it was given over to the enemy,and when the sanctuarywas given over to strangers?
8. Her temple has becomelike a person stripped of honor.
9. Her glorious equipmenthas been taken away into exile.Her babies have been killedin her streets,her young peopleby the enemy’s sword.
10. Is there a nation that hasn’ttaken away some part of her majestyand seized upon her loot?
11. All her adornment has been taken away.She is no longer free,but is instead a slave.
12. Look! Our holy place, our beauty,and our glory have all been destroyed.The Gentiles have trampled them.
13. Why should we live any longer?"
14. Then Mattathias and his sons tore their clothes and put on mourning clothes, and they lamented.
15. At that time, the king’s officers were enforcing the decrees to give up Jewish practice. They came to the town of Modein to make its people offer pagan sacrifice.
16. Many from Israel came out to them, including Mattathias and his sons.
17. Then the king’s officers spoke to Mattathias: "You’re a leader, honored and important in this town, and supported by sons and brothers.
18. Be the first to come and do what the king has commanded, as have all the Gentiles, the people of Judah, and those who are left in Jerusalem. Then you and your sons will be counted among the king’s closest political advisors; you and your sons will be honored with silver, gold, and many gifts."
19. But Mattathias answered loudly, "Even if all the nations that live under the king’s rule obey him and have chosen to follow his orders, departing from their ancestral religion,
20. My sons and brothers and I will continue to live according to our ancestors’ covenant.
21. We will never abandon the Law and its commands!
22. We won’t obey the king’s orders by turning aside from our religion to either the right or the left."
23. When he finished speaking, a Jew came forward in plain sight to offer sacrifice on the altar in Modein, in keeping with the king’s command.
24. When Mattathias saw this action, he burned with zeal, and his spirit was stirred up. He gave way to his righteous anger, and he ran over and killed the man on the altar.