Chapter 1 _{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.12 And, behold, our sanctuary, even our beauty and our glory, is laid waste, and the Gentiles have profaned it.13 To what end therefore shall we live any longer?14 Then Mattathias and his sons rent their clothes, and put on sackcloth, and mourned very sore.15 In the mean while the king's officers, such as compelled the people to revolt, came into the city Modin, to make them sacrifice.16 And when many of Israel came unto them, Mattathias also and his sons came together.}