Chapter 1 _{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?8 Her temple is become as a man without glory.9 Her glorious vessels are carried away into captivity, her infants are slain in the streets, her young men with the sword of the enemy.10 What nation hath not had a part in her kingdom and gotten of her spoils?11 All her ornaments are taken away; of a free woman she is become a bondslave.}