The zeal and success of Mathathias. His exhortation to his sons at his death.
2:1. In those days arose Mathathias, the son of John, the son of Simeon, a priest of the sons of Joarib, from Jerusalem, and he abode in the mountain of Modin:
2:2. And he had five sons: John, who was surnamed Gaddis:
2:3. And Simon, who was surnamed Thasi;
2:4. And Judas, who was called Machabeus;
2:5. And Eleazar, who was surnamed Abaron; and Jonathan, who was surnamed Apphus.
2:6. These saw the evils that were done in the people of Juda, and in Jerusalem.
2:7. And Mathathias said: Woe is me, wherefore was I born to see the ruin of my people, and the ruin of the holy city, and to dwell there, when it is given into the hands of the enemies?
2:8. The holy places are come into the hands of strangers her temple is become as a man without honour.
2:9. The vessels of her glory are carried away captive; her old men are murdered in the streets, and her young men are fallen by the sword of the enemies.