Chapter 1 _{53 And drove the Israelites into secret places, even wheresoever they could flee for succour.54 Now the fifteenth day of the month Casleu, in the hundred forty and fifth year, they set up the abomination of desolation upon the altar, and builded idol altars throughout the cities of Juda on every side;55 And burnt incense at the doors of their houses, and in the streets.56 And when they had rent in pieces the books of the law which they found, they burnt them with fire.57 And whosoever was found with any the book of the testament, or if any committed to the law, the king's commandment was, that they should put him to death.58 Thus did they by their authority unto the Israelites every month, to as many as were found in the cities.59 Now the five and twentieth day of the month they did sacrifice upon the idol altar, which was upon the altar of God.60 At which time according to the commandment they put to death certain women, that had caused their children to be circumcised.61 And they hanged the infants about their necks, and rifled their houses, and slew them that had circumcised them.62 Howbeit many in Israel were fully resolved and confirmed in themselves not to eat any unclean thing.63 Wherefore the rather to die, that they might not be defiled with meats, and that they might not profane the holy covenant: so then they died.64 And there was very great wrath upon Israel.}

Chapter 2 _{1 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.2 And he had five sons, Joannan, called Caddis:3 Simon; called Thassi:4 Judas, who was called Maccabeus:5 Eleazar, called Avaran: and Jonathan, whose surname was Apphus.6 And when he saw the blasphemies that were committed in Juda and Jerusalem,7 He said, Woe is me! wherefore was I born to see this misery of my people, and of the holy city, and to dwell there, when it was delivered into the hand of the enemy, and the sanctuary into the hand of strangers?}