1 Maccabees 2
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Mattathias and His Sons
2 In those days Mattathias son of John son of Simeon, a priest of the clan of Joarib, moved from Jerusalem and settled in Modein.(A) 2 He had five sons: John surnamed Gaddi,(B) 3 Simon called Thassi,(C) 4 Judas called Maccabeus,(D) 5 Eleazar called Avaran, and Jonathan called Apphus.(E) 6 He saw the blasphemies being committed in Judah and Jerusalem 7 and said,
“Alas! Why was I born to see this,
the ruin of my people, the ruin of the holy city?
The people sat idle there when it was given over to the enemy,
the sanctuary given over to strangers.(F)
8 Her temple has become like a person without honor;[a]
9 her glorious vessels have been carried into exile.
Her infants have been killed in her streets,
her youths by the sword of the foe.(G)
10 What nation has not inherited her palaces[b]
and has not seized her spoils?
11 All her adornment has been taken away;
no longer free, she has become a slave.
12 And see, our holy place, our beauty,
and our glory have been laid waste;
the nations have profaned them.(H)
13 Why should we live any longer?”
14 Then Mattathias and his sons tore their clothes, put on sackcloth, and mourned greatly.(I)
Pagan Worship Refused
15 The king’s officers who were enforcing the apostasy came to the town of Modein to make them offer sacrifice. 16 Many from Israel came to them, and Mattathias and his sons were assembled. 17 Then the king’s officers spoke to Mattathias as follows: “You are a leader, honored and great in this town, and supported by sons and brothers. 18 Now be the first to come and do what the king commands, as all the nations and the people of Judah and those who are left in Jerusalem have done. Then you and your sons will be numbered among the Friends of the king, and you and your sons will be honored with silver and gold and many gifts.”(J)
19 But Mattathias answered and said in a loud voice: “Even if all the nations that live under the rule of the king obey him and have chosen to obey his commandments, every one of them abandoning the religion of their ancestors,(K) 20 I and my sons and my brothers will continue to live by the covenant of our ancestors.(L) 21 Far be it from us to desert the law and the ordinances. 22 We will not obey the king’s words by turning aside from our religion to the right hand or to the left.”(M)
23 When he had finished speaking these words, a Jew came forward in the sight of all to offer sacrifice on the altar in Modein, according to the king’s command. 24 When Mattathias saw it, he burned with zeal, and his heart was stirred. He gave vent to righteous anger; he ran and slaughtered him on the altar. 25 At the same time he killed the king’s officer who was forcing them to sacrifice, and he tore down the altar. 26 Thus he burned with zeal for the law, just as Phinehas did against Zimri son of Salu.(N)
27 Then Mattathias cried out in the town with a loud voice, saying: “Let every one who is zealous for the law and supports the covenant come out with me!” 28 Then he and his sons fled to the hills and left all that they had in the town.(O)
29 At that time many who were seeking righteousness and justice went down to the wilderness to live there, 30 they, their sons, their wives, and their livestock, because troubles pressed heavily upon them.(P) 31 And it was reported to the king’s officers and to the troops in Jerusalem the city of David that those who had rejected the king’s command had gone down to the hiding places in the wilderness.(Q) 32 Many pursued them and overtook them; they encamped opposite them and prepared for battle against them on the Sabbath day. 33 They said to them, “Enough of this! Come out and do what the king commands, and you will live.” 34 But they said, “We will not come out, nor will we do what the king commands and so profane the Sabbath day.”(R) 35 Then the enemy[c] quickly attacked them. 36 But they did not answer them or hurl a stone at them or block up their hiding places, 37 for they said, “Let us all die in our innocence; heaven and earth testify for us that you are killing us unjustly.” 38 So they attacked them on the Sabbath, and they died, with their wives and children and livestock, to the number of a thousand persons.(S)
39 When Mattathias and his friends learned of it, they mourned for them deeply. 40 And all said to their neighbors: “If we all do as our kindred have done and refuse to fight with the nations for our lives and for our ordinances, they will quickly destroy us from the earth.” 41 So they made this decision that day: “Let us fight against anyone who comes to attack us on the Sabbath day; let us not all die as our kindred died in their hiding places.”(T)
Counter-Attack
42 Then there united with them a company of Hasideans, mighty warriors of Israel, all who offered themselves willingly for the law.(U) 43 And all who became fugitives to escape their troubles joined them and reinforced them. 44 They organized an army and struck down sinners in their anger and renegades in their wrath; the survivors fled to the nations for safety.(V) 45 And Mattathias and his friends went around and tore down the altars; 46 they forcibly circumcised all the uncircumcised boys whom they found within the borders of Israel. 47 They hunted down the arrogant, and the work prospered in their hands. 48 They rescued the law out of the hands of the nations and kings, and they never let the sinner gain the upper hand.
The Last Words of Mattathias
49 Now the days drew near for Mattathias to die, and he said to his sons: “Arrogance and scorn have now become strong; it is a time of ruin and furious anger. 50 Now, my children, show zeal for the law and give your lives for the covenant of our ancestors.
51 “Remember the deeds of the ancestors, which they did in their generations, and you will receive great honor and an everlasting name.(W) 52 Was not Abraham found faithful when tested, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness?(X) 53 Joseph in the time of his distress kept the commandment and became lord of Egypt.(Y) 54 Phinehas our ancestor, because he was deeply zealous, received the covenant of everlasting priesthood.(Z) 55 Joshua, because he fulfilled the command, became a judge in Israel.(AA) 56 Caleb, because he testified in the assembly, received an inheritance in the land.(AB) 57 David, because he was merciful, inherited the throne of the kingdom forever.(AC) 58 Elijah, because of great zeal for the law, was taken up into heaven.(AD) 59 Hananiah, Azariah, and Mishael believed and were saved from the flame.(AE) 60 Daniel, because of his innocence, was delivered from the mouth of the lions.(AF)
61 “And so observe, from generation to generation, that none of those who put their trust in him will lack strength.(AG) 62 Do not fear the words of sinners, for their splendor will turn into dung and worms.(AH) 63 Today they will be exalted, but tomorrow they will not be found, for they will have returned to the dust, and their plans will have perished. 64 My children, be courageous and grow strong in the law, for by it you will gain honor.(AI)
65 “Here is your brother Simeon, who I know is wise in counsel; always listen to him; he shall be your father.(AJ) 66 Judas Maccabeus has been a mighty warrior from his youth; he shall command the army for you and fight the battle against the peoples.[d](AK) 67 You shall rally around you all who observe the law and avenge the wrong done to your people. 68 Pay back the nations in full, and obey the commands of the law.”
69 Then he blessed them and was gathered to his ancestors. 70 He died in the one hundred forty-sixth year and was buried in the tomb of his ancestors at Modein. And all Israel mourned for him with great lamentation.(AL)
1 Maccabees 2
Common English Bible
Mattathias and his sons
2 In those days a priest from Joarib’s family named Mattathias, the son of John and grandson of Simeon, moved from Jerusalem and settled in Modein. 2 He had five sons: John, who had the surname Gaddi; 3 Simon, called Thassi; 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 sanctuary
was given over to strangers?
8 Her temple has become
like a person stripped of honor.
9 Her glorious equipment
has been taken away into exile.
Her babies have been killed
in her streets,
her young people
by the enemy’s sword.
10 Is there a nation that hasn’t
taken away some part of her majesty
and 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.
Pagan worship refused
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. 25 He also killed the king’s officer who was overseeing the sacrifice at that time, and he tore down the altar. 26 He burned with zeal for the Law, just like Phinehas did against Zimri, Salu’s son.
27 Then Mattathias shouted loudly in the town, “Everyone who is zealous for the Law and supports the covenant should come with me!” 28 So he and his sons fled to the hills and left behind all that they had in the town.
29 At that time, many who sought righteousness and justice went to live in the desert. 30 They were there with their sons, their wives, and their livestock because troubles pressed heavily on them. 31 The king’s officers and the troops in Jerusalem, David’s City, learned that those who had rejected the king’s command had gone down to hiding places in the wilderness. 32 Many pursued and overtook them. The king’s military forces camped opposite them and prepared for battle against them on the Sabbath. 33 They said to them: “Enough of this! Come out and do what the king commands, and you will live.”
34 But the Israelites replied: “We won’t come out, and we won’t do what the king commands and so violate the Sabbath.” 35 So the enemy immediately attacked them. 36 Still they didn’t answer or throw a rock at them or even block up their hiding places. 37 They said, “Let’s all die in our innocence. Heaven and earth testify on our behalf that you are killing us unjustly.” 38 So the troops attacked them on the Sabbath. They died, with their wives and children and livestock, as many as one thousand people.
39 When Mattathias and his friends learned about this, they deeply mourned for the dead. 40 They said to each other: “If we all do as our people have done and refuse to fight against the Gentiles for our lives and our commandments, they will soon eliminate us from the earth.” 41 So they decided that day: “We will fight against anyone who comes to attack us on the Sabbath. Let’s not all die as our people did in their hiding places.”
Counterattack
42 At that time a company of Hasideans,[a] mighty warriors of Israel, united with them. They offered their lives willingly for the Law. 43 Others who became fugitives to escape their troubles joined them as well and reinforced them. 44 Together they organized an army. In their fury, they struck down sinners and renegades. Survivors fled to the Gentiles for safety.
45 Mattathias and his friends went around tearing down the altars to other gods.[b] 46 They forcibly circumcised boys whom they found uncircumcised within the borders of Israel. 47 They hunted down arrogant people, and their missions were successful. 48 They rescued the Law from the power of the Gentiles and kings, and they never let the sinner regain power.
Last words of Mattathias
49 Now the days drew near for Mattathias to die, and he spoke to his sons: “Arrogance and contempt are present everywhere. It is a time of ruin and raging anger. 50 Now, my children, demonstrate zeal for the Law, and give your lives for our ancestors’ covenant.
51 “Remember the deeds of the ancestors, which they did in their day, and you will inherit great honor and everlasting remembrance.
52 Wasn’t Abraham found faithful when he was tested, and it was considered righteousness?
53 Joseph kept the commandment in the time of his distress, and he became ruler of Egypt.
54 Our ancestor Phinehas received the covenant of everlasting priesthood because he was deeply zealous.
55 Joshua became a judge in Israel because he fulfilled the command.
56 Caleb received an inheritance in the land because he testified in the assembly.
57 David inherited the throne of the kingdom forever because he was merciful.
58 Elijah was taken up into heaven because he had great zeal for the Law.
59 Hananiah, Azariah, and Mishael believed, and were rescued from the flame.
60 Daniel was delivered from the lions’ mouths because of his innocence.
61 “So you see that from generation to generation, no one who continues to trust God will lack strength. 62 Don’t fear the words of sinners, for their glory will turn into dung and worms. 63 Today they may be exalted, but tomorrow they can’t be found, because they will have returned to the dust and their plans will have vanished. 64 My children, show courage and grow strong in the Law, because this will bring you honor.
65 “Look, here is your brother Simon, who I know is a man with purpose. Always listen to him. He will be your father. 66 Judas Maccabeus has been a powerful fighter since he was a boy. He will command the army for you and lead the battle against the peoples. 67 Rally around yourselves all who observe the Law, and avenge wrong done to your people. 68 Pay the Gentiles back in full, and obey what the Law commands.”
69 Then he blessed them and joined his ancestors. 70 He died in the year 146[c] and was buried in an ancestral tomb at Modein. All Israel mourned for him with sorrow.
Footnotes
- 1 Maccabees 2:42 Or the pious ones
- 1 Maccabees 2:45 Gk lacks to other gods.
- 1 Maccabees 2:70 166 BCE
New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Copyright © 2011 by Common English Bible