In those days it happened, after that Alexander son of Philip, the Macedonian, who came out of the land of Chettiim, had smitten Darius king of the Persians and Medes, that he reigned in his stead, the first over Greece. He made many wars, and won many strong holds, and slew the kings of the earth. He went through to the ends of the earth, and took spoils of many nations, insomuch that the earth was quiet before him; whereupon he was exalted and his heart was lifted up. He gathered a mighty strong host and ruled over countries, and nations, and kings, who became tributaries unto him.

After these things he fell sick, and perceived that he should die. Wherefore he called his servants, such as were honourable, and had been brought up with him from his youth, and parted his kingdom among them, while he was yet alive. So Alexander reigned twelve years, and then died. And his servants bore rule upon themselves, every one in his place. And after his death they all put crowns upon themselves; so did their sons after them many years; and evils were multiplied in the earth.

And there came out of them a wicked root, Antiochus surnamed Epiphanes, son of Antiochus the king, who had been an hostage at Rome, and he reigned in the 137^th year of the kingdom of the Greeks.

In those days went there out of Israel wicked men, who persuaded many, saying, Let us go and make a covenant with the heathen that are round about us: for since we departed from them we have had much sorrow. So this device pleased them well. Then certain of the people were so forward herein, that they went to the king, who gave them licence to do after the ordinances of the heathen: Whereupon they built a place of exercise at Jerusalem according to the customs of the heathen: And made themselves uncircumcised, and forsook the holy covenant, and joined themselves to the heathen, and were sold to do mischief.

Now when the kingdom was established before Antiochus, he thought to reign over Egypt that he might have the dominion of two realms. Wherefore he entered into Egypt with a great multitude, with chariots, and elephants, and horsemen, and a great navy, and made war against Ptoleme, king of Egypt: but Ptoleme was afraid of him, and fled; and many were wounded to death. Thus they got the strong cities in the land of Egypt and he took the spoils thereof.

And after that Antiochus had smitten Egypt, he returned again in the 143^rd year, and went up against Israel and Jerusalem with a great multitude, and entered proudly into the sanctuary, and took away the golden altar, and the candlestick of light, and all the vessels thereof, and the table of the shewbread, and the pouring vessels, and the vials, and the censers of gold, and the veil, and the crown, and the golden ornaments that were before the temple, all which he pulled off. He took also the silver and the gold, and the precious vessels; also he took the hidden treasures which he found. And when he had taken all away, he went into his own land, having made a great massacre, and spoke very proudly.

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Moreover king Antiochus wrote to his whole kingdom, that all should be one people, and every one should leave his laws. So all the heathen agreed according to the commandment of the king. Indeed, many also of the Israelites consented to his religion, and sacrificed before idols, and profaned the sabbath.

For the king had sent letters by messengers to Jerusalem and the cities of Juda that they should follow the strange laws of the land. And he forbid them from doing burnt offerings, and sacrifice, and drink offerings, in the temple; and that they should profane the sabbaths and festival days; and pollute the sanctuary and holy people; set up altars, and groves, and chapels of idols, and sacrifice swine’s flesh, and unclean beasts; that they should also leave their children uncircumcised, and make their souls abominable with all manner of uncleanness and profanation. All this was done to the purpose that they might forget the law, and change all the ordinances. Whosoever would not do according to the commandment of the king, he said, he should die.

In the selfsame manner wrote he to his whole kingdom, and appointed overseers over all the people, commanding the cities of Juda to sacrifice, city by city. Then many of the people were gathered unto them, to wit every one that abandoned the Law; and so they committed evils in the land, and drove the Israelites into secret places, even wheresoever they could flee for relief.

Now the 15^th day of the month Casleu, in the 145^th year, they set up the abomination of desolation upon the altar, and built idol altars throughout the cities of Juda on every side. And they burnt incense at the doors of their houses, and in the streets. And when they had rent in pieces the books of the Law which they found, they burnt them with fire. And whosoever was found with any the book of the Testament, or if any kept the Law, the king’s commandment was that they should put him to death. This did they by their authority to the Israelites every month, to as many as were found in the cities. Now on the 25^th day of the month they did sacrifice upon the idol altar, which was upon the altar of God.

At which time according to the commandment they put to death certain women, that had caused their children to be circumcised; and they hanged the infants about their necks, and with them also put to death their households, and slew whosoever had circumcised them.

Howbeit, many in Israel were fully resolved and confirmed in themselves not to eat any unclean thing. Wherefore they preferred to die, that they might not be defiled with meats and that they might not profane the holy Covenant, and so they then all died.

And there was very great wrath upon Israel.

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In those days arose Mattathias, the son of John, the son of Simeon, a priest of the sons of Joarib, from Jerusalem, and dwelt in Modin.

In the mean while the king’s officers, such as compelled the people to revolt, came into the city Modin, to make them sacrifice. And when many of Israel came to them, Mattathias also and his sons came together. Then answered the king’s officers, and told Mattathias: "You are a ruler, and an honourable and great man in this city, and strengthened with sons and brethren. Now, therefore, come you first and fulfil the king’s commandment, just as all the heathen have done, indeed, and the men of Juda also, and such as remain at Jerusalem. So shall you and your house be among the king’s friends, and you and your children shall be honoured with silver and gold, and many rewards."

Then Mattathias answered and spoke with a loud voice: "Though all the nations that are under the king’s dominion obey him, and fall away every one from the religion of their fathers, and give consent to his commandments, yet will I and my sons and my brethren walk in the covenant of our fathers. God forbid that we should forsake the law and the ordinances. We will not hearken to the king’s words, to go from our religion, either on the right hand, or the left!"

Now when he had left speaking these words, there came one of the Jews in the sight of all to sacrifice on the altar which was at Modin, according to the king’s commandment. When Mattathias saw this, he was inflamed with zeal, and his reins trembled, neither could he forbear to show his anger according to the Law. Wherefore he ran, and slew him upon the altar. Also the king’s commissioner, who compelled men to sacrifice, he killed at that time, and pulled down the altar. Thus dealt he zealously for the Law like Phinees had done to Zambri the son of Salom. And Mattathias cried throughout the city with a loud voice, saying, "Whosoever is zealous of the Law, and keeps the Covenant, let him follow me." So he and his sons fled into the mountains, and left all that they ever had in the city.

There then came to him a company of Assideans, who were mighty men of Israel, even all such as were voluntarily devoted to the Law. Also all they that fled for persecution joined themselves to them and supported them. So they joined their forces, and smote sinful men in their anger, and wicked men in their wrath; but the rest fled to the heathen for help.

Then Mattathias and his friends went round about, and pulled down the altars. And any children whom they found within the coast of Israel that were uncircumcised, they circumcised valiantly. They pursued also after the proud men and the work prospered in their hand. So they recovered the law out of the hand of the Gentiles, and out of the hand of kings, neither did they permit the sinner to triumph.

Now when the time drew near that Mattathias should die, he said to his sons, "Now have pride and rebuke obtained strength, and it is a time of destruction and wrath of indignation. Now therefore, my sons, be you zealous for the Law and give your lives for the Covenant of your fathers. And behold, I know that your brother Simon is a man of counsel: give ear to him always and he shall be a father to you. As for Judas Maccabeus, even from his youth, he has been mighty and strong: let him be your captain, and fight the battle of the people. Take also with you all those who observe the Law and avenge the wrong of your people. Recompense fully the heathen, and take heed to the commandments of the Law."

So he blessed them, and was gathered to his fathers. He died in the 146^th year, and his sons buried him in the sepulchres of his fathers at Modin. All Israel mourned him deeply.

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Readings of the 31^st Week – Wednesday The Reading is from the First Book of Maccabees

In those days, his son Judas, called Maccabeus, rose up in his stead. And all his brethren helped him, and so did all they that sided with his father, and they fought with cheerfulness the battle of Israel.

So he got his people great honour, and put on a breastplate as a giant, and girt his warlike harness about him, and he made battles, protecting the host with his sword. In his acts he was like a lion, and like a lion’s whelp roaring for his prey. For He pursued the wicked, and sought them out, and burnt up those that vexed his people. Wherefore the wicked shrunk for fear of him, and all the workers of iniquity were troubled, because salvation prospered in his hand. He grieved also many kings, and made Jacob glad with his acts, and his memorial is blessed for ever. Moreover he went through the cities of Juda, destroying the ungodly out of them, and turning away wrath from Israel. So that he was renowned up to the utmost part of the earth, and he received unto him such as were ready to perish.

Then Apollonius gathered the Gentiles together, and a great host out of Samaria, to fight against Israel. Which thing when Judas perceived, he went forth to meet him, and so he smote him, and slew him: many also fell down slain, but the rest fled. Wherefore Judas took their spoils, and Apollonius’ sword also, and therewith he fought all his life long.

Now when Seron, a prince of the army of Syria, heard say that Judas had gathered unto him a multitude and company of the faithful to go out with him to war, he said: "I will get me a name and honour in the kingdom; for I will go fight with Judas and them that are with him, who despise the king’s commandment."

So he made him ready to go up, and there went with him a mighty host of the ungodly to help him, and to be avenged of the children of Israel. And when he came near to the going up of Bethhoron, Judas went forth to meet him with a small company: Who, when they saw the host coming to meet them, said to Judas: "How shall we be able, being so few, to fight against so great a multitude and so strong, seeing we are ready to faint with fasting all this day?"

To whom Judas answered: "It is no hard matter for many to be shut up in the hands of a few; and with the God of heaven it is all one, to deliver with a great multitude, or a small company: : For the victory of battle standes not in the multitude of an host; but strength comes from heaven. They come against us in much pride and iniquity to destroy us, and our wives and children, and to spoil us. But we fight for our lives and our laws. Wherefore the Lord himself will overthrow them before our face, and as for you, be you not afraid of them."

Now as soon as he had finished speaking, he leapt suddenly upon them and so Seron and his host was overthrown before him. And they pursued them from the going down of Beth-horon unto the plain, where about eight hundred men of them were slain; and the residue fled into the land of the Philistines.

Then began the fear of Judas and his brethren, and an exceeding great dread, to fall upon the nations round about them. Insomuch as his fame came unto the king, and all nations talked of the battles of Judas.

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In those days Judas and his brethren said: "Behold, our enemies are won over: let us go up to cleanse and dedicate the sanctuary." Upon this all the host assembled themselves together, and went up into mount Sion. And when they saw the sanctuary desolate, and the altar profaned, and the gates burned up, and shrubs growing in the courts as in a forest, or in one of the mountains, indeed, and the priests’ chambers pulled down, they rent their clothes and made great lamentation and cast ashes upon their heads, and they fell down flat to the ground upon their faces and blew an alarm with the trumpets, and cried toward heaven. Then Judas appointed certain men to fight against those that were in the fortress, until he had cleansed the sanctuary.

So he chose priests of blameless conversation, such as had pleasure in the law, who cleansed the sanctuary, who bore out the defiled stones into an unclean place. Then as they consulted what to do with the altar of burnt offerings, which was profaned, they thought it best to pull it down, lest it should be a reproach to them, because the heathen had defiled it. Wherefore they pulled it down, and laid up the stones in the mountain of the temple in a convenient place, until there should come a prophet to show what should be done with them.

Then they took whole stones according to the law, and built a new altar according to the former and made up the sanctuary, and the things that were within the temple, and hallowed the courts. They made also new holy vessels, and into the temple they brought the candlestick, and the altar of burnt offerings, and of incense, and the table. : And upon the altar they burned incense, and the lamps that were upon the candlestick they lighted, that they might give light in the temple. Furthermore they set the loaves upon the table, and spread out the veils, and finished all the works which they had begun to make.

Now on the 25^th day of the ninth month, which is called the month Casleu, in the 148^th year, they rose up very early in the morning. And they offered sacrifice according to the Law upon the new altar of burnt offerings, which they had made. At the same time and on the same day the heathen had profaned it, even in that was it dedicated with songs, and citherns, and harps, and cymbals. Then all the people fell upon their faces, worshipping and praising the God of heaven, who had given them good success. They kept the dedication of the altar eight days and offered burnt offerings with gladness, and sacrificed the sacrifice of deliverance and praise. They decked also the forefront of the temple with crowns of gold, and with shields; and the gates and the chambers they renewed, and hung doors upon them. Thus was there very great gladness among the people, for that the reproach of the heathen was put away.

Moreover Judas and his brethren with the whole congregation of Israel ordained, that the days of the dedication of the altar should be kept in their season from year to year by the space of eight days, from the 25^th day of the month Casleu, with mirth and gladness.

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After Pentecost, as it is called, they marched against Gorgias, the general commanding Idumaea. He came out at the head of 3,000 infantry and 400 cavalry; in the course of the ensuing battle a few Jews lost their lives.

A man called Dositheus, a horseman of the Tubian contingent, a valiant man, overpowered Gorgias and, gripping him by the cloak, was forcibly dragging him along, intending to take the accursed man alive; but one of the Thracian cavalry; hurling himself on Dositheus, slashed his shoulder, and Gorgias escaped to Marisa.

Meanwhile, since Esdrias and his men had been fighting for a long time and were exhausted, Judas called on the Lord to show himself their ally and leader in battle. Then, chanting the battle cry and hymns at the top of his voice in his ancestral tongue, by a surprise attack he routed Gorgias’ troops.

Judas then rallied his army and moved on to the town of Adullam where, as it was the seventh day of the week, they purified themselves according to custom and kept the Sabbath. Next day, they came to find Judas to have the bodies of the fallen taken up and laid to rest among their relatives in their ancestral tombs. But when they found on each of the dead men, under their tunics, objects dedicated to the idols of Jammia, which the Law prohibits to Jews, it became clear to everyone that this was why these men had lost their lives.

All then blessed the ways of the Lord, the upright judge who brings hidden things to light, and they gave themselves to prayer, begging that the sin committed might be completely forgiven. Next, the valiant Judas urged the soldiers to keep themselves free from all sin, having seen with their own eyes the effects of the sin of those who had fallen. After this he took a collection from them individually, amounting to nearly 2,000 drachmas, and sent it to Jerusalem to have a sacrifice for sin offered; an action altogether fine and noble, prompted by his belief in the resurrection. For had he not expected the fallen to rise again, it would have been superfluous and foolish to pray for the dead, whereas if he had in view the splendid recompense reserved for those who make a pious end, the thought was holy and devout. Hence, he had this expiatory sacrifice offered for the dead, so that they might be released from their sin.

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When Demetrius heard the Nicanor and his host were slain in battle, he sent Bacchides and Alcimus into the land of Judea the second time, and with them the chief strength of his host. Who went forth by the way that leads to Galgala, and pitched their tents before Masaloth, which is in Arbela, and after they had won it, they slew much people.

In the first month of the 152^nd year they encamped before Jerusalem. From whence they removed, and went to Berea, with 20.000 footmen and 2,000 horsemen. Now Judas had pitched his tents at Eleasa, and 3,000 chosen men with him who, seeing the multitude of the other army to be so great, they were sore afraid. Whereupon many conveyed themselves out of the host, insomuch as of them there remained with him no more but 800 men. When Judas therefore saw that his host had slipt away, and that the battle pressed upon him, he was sore troubled in mind, and much distressed, since he had no time to gather them together. Nevertheless to those who remained he said: "Let us arise and go up against our enemies, to see if by chance we may be able to fight them." But they tried convincing him otherwise, saying: "We shall never be able but now rather only to save our lives. After which, we will return with our brethren and fight against them: for we are but a few." Then Judas said: "God forbid that I should do this thing, and flee away from them! If our time has come, let us die manfully for our brethren, and let us not stain our honour!"

With that the host of Bacchides removed out of their tents, and stood over against them, their horsemen being divided into two troops, and their slingers and archers going before the host and they that marched in the foreward were all mighty men. As for Bacchides, he was in the right wing: so the host drew near on the two parts, and sounded their trumpets. They also of Judas’ side, even they sounded their trumpets also, so that the earth shook at the noise of the armies and the battle continued from morning till night.

Now when Judas perceived that Bacchides and the strength of his army were on the right side, he took with him all the hardy men, who overran the right wing, and pursued them to the mount Azotus. But when they of the left wing saw that they of the right wing were overrun, they followed upon Judas and those that were with him hard at the heels from behind. Whereupon there was a sore battle, insomuch as many were slain on both parts. Judas also was killed, and the remnant fled.

Then Jonathan and Simon took Judas their brother, and buried him in the sepulchre of his fathers in Modin. Moreover they bewailed him, and all Israel made great lamentation for him, and mourned many days, saying: "How is the valiant man fallen, he who has delivered Israel!"

As for the other things concerning Judas and his wars, and the noble acts which he did, and his greatness, they are not written, for they were very many.

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