5. Eleazar (also called Avaran), and Jonathan (also called Apphus).
6. When Mattathias saw all the sins that were being committed in Judea and Jerusalem,
7. he said:“Why was I born to see these terrible things,the ruin of my people and of the holy city?Must I sit here helplesswhile the city is surrendered to enemiesand the Temple falls into the hands of foreigners?
8. The Temple is like someone without honour.
9. Its splendid furnishingshave been carried away as loot.Our children have been killed in the streets,and our young men by the sword of the enemy.
10. Every nation in the world has occupied the cityand robbed her of her possessions.
11. All her ornaments have been stripped away;she is now a slave, no longer free.
12. Look at our Temple, profaned by the Gentiles,emptied of all its splendour.
13. Why should we go on living?”
14. In their grief, Mattathias and his sons tore their clothes, put on sackcloth, and continued in deep mourning.
15. Then the king's officials, who were forcing the people to turn from God, came to the town of Modein to force the people there to offer pagan sacrifices.
16. Many of the Israelites came to meet them, including Mattathias and his sons.
17. The king's officials said to Mattathias, “You are a respected leader in this town, and you have the support of your sons and relatives.
18. Why not be the first one here to do what the king has commanded? All the Gentiles, the people of Judea, and all the people left in Jerusalem have already done so. If you do, you and your sons will be honoured with the title of ‘Friends of the King,’ and you will be rewarded with silver and gold and many gifts.”
19. Mattathias answered in a loud voice, “I don't care if every Gentile in this empire has obeyed the king and yielded to the command to abandon the religion of his ancestors.
20. My children, my relatives, and I will continue to keep the covenant that God made with our ancestors.
21. With God's help we will never abandon his Law or disobey his commands.