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.

Psalm 129

A pilgrimage song.

Jesus predicts Jerusalem’s destruction

⁴¹ As Jesus came to the city and observed it, he wept over it. ⁴² He said, “If only you knew on this of all days the things that lead to peace. But now they are hidden from your eyes. ⁴³ The time will come when your enemies will build fortifications around you, encircle you, and attack you from all sides. ⁴⁴ They will crush you completely, you and the people within you. They won’t leave one stone on top of another within you, because you didn’t recognize the time of your gracious visit from God.”