In diebus illis surrexit Mathathias filius Joannis filii Simeonis, sacerdos ex filiis Joarib, ab Jerusalem, et consedit in monte Modin:

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.

In those days it was that Mattathias came forward, son of John, son of Simeon, a priest of Joarib’s family; he was for Jerusalem no more, but would take up his dwelling on the hill-side at Modin.

et habebat filios quinque, Joannem, qui cognominabatur Gaddis:

And he had five sons: John who was surnamed Gaddis:

Five sons he had, John, that was also called Gaddis,

et Simonem, qui cognominabatur Thasi:

And Simon, who was surnamed Thasi:

Simon (or Thasi),

et Judam, qui vocabatur Machabæus:

And Judas, who was called Machabeus:

Judas (or Machabaeus),

et Eleazarum, qui cognominabatur Abaron: et Jonathan, qui cognominabatur Apphus:

And Eleazar, who was surnamed Abaron: and Jonathan, who was surnamed Apphus.

Eleazar (or Abaron), and Jonathan (or Apphus)

hi viderunt mala, quæ fiebant in populo Juda, et in Jerusalem.

These saw the evils that were done in the people of Juda, and in Jerusalem.

and these saw well what foul things were a-doing in Juda’s country and the city of Jerusalem.

Et dixit Mathathias: Væ mihi! ut quid natus sum videre contritionem populi mei, et contritionem civitatis sanctæ, et sedere illic, cum datur in manibus inimicorum?

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?

Alas, what needed it, cried Mattathias, I should have been born into such an age as this? To see my people and the holy city alike brought to ruin, to sit by while the enemy overcame her,

Sancta in manu extraneorum facta sunt: templum ejus sicut homo ignobilis.

The holy places are come into the hands of strangers: her temple is become as a man without honour.

and in her very sanctuary the alien had his will? Temple of hers like a churl’s lot disregarded,

Vasa gloriæ ejus captiva abducta sunt: trucidati sunt senes ejus in plateis, et juvenes ejus ceciderunt in gladio inimicorum.

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.

rare treasure of hers into exile carried away; young and old, in the open streets of her, put to the sword!

Quæ gens non hæreditavit regnum ejus et non obtinuit spolia ejus?

What nation hath not inherited her kingdom, and gotten of her spoils?

Never a race in heathendom but may parcel out her domains, grow rich with the spoil of her!

Omnis compositio ejus ablata est. Quæ erat libera, facta est ancilla.

All her ornaments are taken away. She that was free is made a slave.

Gone, all her fair adornment; the mistress is turned maid;

Et ecce sancta nostra, et pulchritudo nostra, et claritas nostra desolata est, et coinquinaverunt ea gentes.

And behold our sanctuary, and our beauty, and our glory is laid waste, and the Gentiles have defiled them.

laid waste, yonder sanctuary, that was our prize and pride, by Gentile feet dishonoured!

Quo ergo nobis adhuc vivere?

To what end then should we live any longer?

And would we live yet?

Et scidit vestimenta sua Mathathias, et filii ejus: et operuerunt se ciliciis, et planxerunt valde.

And Mathathias and his sons rent their garments, and they covered themselves with haircloth, and made great lamentation.

With that, they tore their garments about them, Mattathias and his sons, and went clad in sackcloth, mourning right bitterly.

Et venerunt illuc qui missi erant a rege Antiocho, ut cogerent eos, qui confugerant in civitatem Modin, immolare, et accendere thura, et a lege Dei discedere.

And they that were sent from king Antiochus came thither, to compel them that were fled into the city of Modin, to sacrifice, and to burn incense, and to depart from the law of God.

And now the pursuivants of king Antiochus came to Modin; take refuge there who might, he must do sacrifice none the less, and burn incense, and leave the following of God’s law.

Et multi de populo Israël consentientes accesserunt ad eos: sed Mathathias et filii ejus constanter steterunt.

And many of the people of Israel consented, and came to them: but Mathathias and his sons stood firm.

Out went the folk of Israel to meet them, some complaisantly enough, but Mattathias and his sons firm in their resolve.

Et respondentes qui missi erant ab Antiocho, dixerunt Mathathiæ: Princeps, et clarissimus et magnus es in hac civitate, et ornatus filiis et fratribus:

And they that were sent from Antiochus, answering, said to Mathathias: Thou art a ruler, and an honourable, and great man in this city, and adorned with sons, and brethren.

And they singled out Mattathias from the rest; A man of mark, said they, and a great chieftain thou; brethren and sons thou hast a many.

ergo accede prior, et fac jussum regis, sicut fecerunt omnes gentes, et viri Juda, et qui remanserunt in Jerusalem: et eris tu, et filii tui, inter amicos regis, et amplificatus auro, et argento, et muneribus multis.

Therefore come thou first, and obey the king’s commandment, as all nations have done, and the men of Juda, and they that remain in Jerusalem: and thou, and thy sons, shall be in the number of the king’s friends, and enriched with gold, and silver, and many presents.

Wilt thou not be the first to come forward and do the king’s bidding, with the whole world, and the men of Juda everywhere, and what is left of Jerusalem? To be the king’s friend, thou and thy sons with thee, gold and silver and much else for thy reward!

Et respondit Mathathias, et dixit magna voce: Etsi omnes gentes regi Antiocho obediunt, ut discedat unusquisque a servitute legis patrum suorum, et consentiat mandatis ejus:

Then Mathathias answered, and said with a loud voice: Although all nations obey king Antiochus, so as to depart every man from the service of the law of his fathers, and consent to his commandments:

Loud rang the answer of Mattathias: What though king Antiochus have the whole world for his vassals? Obey the edict who will, forsaking the custom his fathers lived by,

ego et filii mei, et fratres mei, obediemus legi patrum nostrorum:

I and my sons, and my brethren will obey the law of our fathers.

both I and son of mine, both I and clansman of mine, will obey the law handed down to us.

propitius sit nobis Deus: non est nobis utile relinquere legem, et justitias Dei:

God be merciful unto us: it is not profitable for us to forsake the law, and the justices of God:

Mercy of God! What needs it we should leave his will undone, his claims unhonoured?

non audiemus verba regis Antiochi, nec sacrificabimus transgredientes legis nostræ mandata, ut eamus altera via.

We will not hearken to the words of king Antiochus, neither will we sacrifice, and transgress the commandments of our law, to go another way.

To deaf ears king Antiochus proclaims the sacrifice; we swerve not from the law’s path, right or left.

Et ut cessavit loqui verba hæc, accessit quidam Judæus in omnium oculis sacrificare idolis super aram in civitate Modin, secundum jussum regis:

Now as he left off speaking these words, there came a certain Jew in the sight of all to sacrifice to the idols upon the altar in the city of Modin, according to the king’s commandment.

Before he had done speaking, a Jew came to offer the false gods sacrifice, there in full view of all, before the altar at Modin, as the king bade.

et vidit Mathathias, et doluit, et contremuerunt renes ejus, et accensus est furor ejus secundum judicium legis, et insiliens trucidavit eum super aram:

And Mathathias saw and was grieved and his reins trembled, and his wrath was kindled according to the judgment of the law, and running upon him he slew him upon the altar:

Mattathias took fire at the sight of it; one heave of anger his heart gave, and his zeal for the law could contain itself no longer; there on the altar the sacrificer was slain.

sed et virum, quem rex Antiochus miserat, qui cogebat immolare, occidit in ipso tempore, et aram destruxit:

Moreover the man whom king Antiochus had sent, who compelled them to sacrifice, he slew at the same time, and pulled down the altar,

Nor spared he the pursuivant of king Antiochus that enjoined it; the altar, too, he pulled down.

et zelatus est legem, sicut fecit Phinees Zamri filio Salomi.

And shewed zeal for the law, as Phinees did by Zamri the son of Salomi.

Not Phinees himself struck a better blow for the law, when he slew Zamri, the son of Salom!

Et exclamavit Mathathias voce magna in civitate, dicens: Omnis qui zelum habet legis, statuens testamentum, exeat post me.

And Mathathias cried out in the city with a loud voice, saying: Every one that hath zeal for the law, and maintaineth the testament, let him follow me.

And now Mattathias raised a cry in the city, Who loves the law? Who keeps the covenant unbroken? Out with you, and follow me!

Et fugit ipse, et filii ejus in montes, et reliquerunt quæcumque habebant in civitate.

So he, and his sons fled into the mountains, and left all that they had in the city.

So fled he with his sons into the hill-country, leaving his possessions behind, there in the city.

Tunc descenderunt multi quærentes judicium, et justitiam, in desertum:

Then many that sought after judgment, and justice, went down into the desert:

Many there were that went out into the desert at this time, for love of truth and right;

et sederunt ibi ipsi, et filii eorum, et mulieres eorum, et pecora eorum: quoniam inundaverunt super eos mala.

And they abode there, they and their children, and their wives, and their cattle: because afflictions increased upon them.

took children and women-folk and cattle with them, and settled down there, castaways in a flood of misfortune.

Et renuntiatum est viris regis, et exercitui qui erat in Jerusalem civitate David, quoniam discessissent viri quidam, qui dissipaverunt mandatum regis, in loca occulta in deserto, et abiissent post illos multi.

And it was told to the king’s men, and to the army that was in Jerusalem in the city of David, that certain men who had broken the king’s commandment, were gone away into the secret places in the wilderness, and that many were gone after them.

But news of it reached Jerusalem, and the king’s men that were in David’s Keep; here were rebels lurking in the waste country, and drawing many over to their side.

Et statim perrexerunt ad eos, et constituerunt adversus eos prælium in die sabbatorum,

And forthwith they went out towards them, and made war against them on the sabbath day,

So they went out in pursuit, and offered battle; on a sabbath day, as it chanced.

et dixerunt ad eos: Resistitis et nunc adhuc? exite, et facite secundum verbum regis Antiochi, et vivetis.

And they said to them: Do you still resist? come forth, and do according to the edict of king Antiochus, and you shall live.

What, still stubborn? cried they. Come out, and yield yourselves to the king’s pleasure; your lives shall be spared.

Et dixerunt: Non exibimus, neque faciemus verbum regis, ut polluamus diem sabbatorum.

And they said: We will not come forth, neither will we obey the king’s edict, to profane the sabbath day.

But the Jews’ answer was, come out and yield to the king’s pleasure they might not; law of the sabbath rest forbade it.

Et concitaverunt adversus eos prælium.

And they made haste to give them battle.

So the attack began in good earnest;

Et non responderunt eis, nec lapidem miserunt in eos, nec oppilaverunt loca occulta,

But they answered them not, neither did they cast a stone at them, nor stopped up the secret places,

but the Jews made no resistance, never a stone flew, never a hiding-place of theirs was put in a state of defence;

dicentes: Moriamur omnes in simplicitate nostra: et testes erunt super nos cælum et terra, quod injuste perditis nos.

Saying: Let us all die in our innocency: and heaven and earth shall be witnesses for us, that you put us to death wrongfully.

Die we all, they said, innocent men, and let heaven and earth bear witness, it was for no fault of ours we died.

Et intulerunt illis bellum sabbatis: et mortui sunt ipsi, et uxores eorum, et filii eorum, et pecora eorum usque ad mille animas hominum.

So they gave them battle on the sabbath: and they were slain with their wives, and their children, and their cattle, to the number of a thousand persons.

Thus, because it was a sabbath day when the attack was made, these men perished, and their wives and children and cattle with them; a thousand human lives lost.

Et cognovit Mathathias et amici ejus, et luctum habuerunt super eos valde.

And Mathathias and his friends heard of it, and they mourned for them exceedingly.

Great grief it was to Mattathias and his company when they heard what had befallen them;

Et dixit vir proximo suo: Si omnes fecerimus sicut fratres nostri fecerunt, et non pugnaverimus adversus gentes pro animabus nostris et justificationibus nostris, nunc citius disperdent nos a terra.

And every man said to his neighbour: If we shall all do as our brethren have done, and not fight against the heathens for our lives, and our justifications: they will now quickly root us out of the earth.

and now there was high debate raised: Do we as our brethren did, forbear we to give battle for our lives and loyalties, and they will soon make an end of us!

Et cogitaverunt in die illa, dicentes: Omnis homo, quicumque venerit ad nos in bello die sabbatorum, pugnemus adversus eum: et non moriemur omnes, sicut mortui sunt fratres nostri in occultis.

And they determined in that day, saying: Whosoever shall come up against us to fight on the sabbath day, we will fight against him: and we will not all die, as our brethren that were slain in the secret places.

Then and there it was resolved, if any should attack them on the sabbath day, to engage him, else they should be put to death all of them, like those brethren of theirs in the covert of the hills.

Tunc congregata est ad eos synagoga Assidæorum fortis viribus ex Israël, omnis voluntarius in lege:

Then was assembled to them the congregation of the Assideans, the stoutest of Israel, every one that had a good will for the law.

Now it was that the Assidaeans rallied to their side, a party that was of great consequence in Israel, lovers of the law one and all;

et omnes, qui fugiebant a malis, additi sunt ad eos, et facti sunt illis ad firmamentum.

And all they that fled from the evils, joined themselves to them, and were a support to them.

and all who would escape from the evils of the time made common cause with them, and came to their assistance.

Et collegerunt exercitum, et percusserunt peccatores in ira sua, et viros iniquos in indignatione sua: et ceteri fugerunt ad nationes, ut evaderent.

And they gathered an army, and slew the sinners in their wrath, and the wicked men in their indignation: and the rest fled to the nations for safety.

So, mustering their forces, they wrought indignant vengeance upon sinners that were false to the law, till they were fain to take refuge among the heathen;

Et circuivit Mathathias et amici ejus, et destruxerunt aras:

And Mathathias and his friends went round about, and they threw down the altars:

wherever they went, Mattathias and his company, they threw the altars down,

et circumciderunt pueros incircumcisos quotquot invenerunt in finibus Israël: et in fortitudine.

And they circumcised all the children whom they found in the confines of Israel that were uncircumcised: and they did valiantly.

and whatever children they found uncircumcised, from one end of Israel to the other, they circumcised by right of conquest.

Et persecuti sunt filios superbiæ, et prosperatum est opus in manibus eorum:

And they pursued after the children of pride, and the work prospered in their hands:

Ere long, they drove the tyrant’s minions before them, and to such good purpose

et obtinuerunt legem de manibus gentium, et de manibus regum, et non dederant cornu peccatori.

And they recovered the law out of the hands of the nations, and out of the hands of the kings: and they yielded not the horn to the sinner.

that Gentile was none, king though he were, could restrain the law’s observance; against their onslaught the powers of evil could not make head.

Et appropinquaverunt dies Mathathiæ moriendi, et dixit filiis suis: Nunc confortata est superbia, et castigatio, et tempus eversionis, et ira indignationis.

Now the days drew near that Mathathias should die, and he said to his sons: Now hath pride and chastisement gotten strength, and the time of destruction, and the wrath of indignation:

Meanwhile, the life of Mattathias was drawing to an end. And this charge he gave to his sons: Here be days when tyrant and blasphemer have their will, when all is calamity and bitter retribution.

Nunc ergo, o filii, æmulatores estote legis, et date animas vestras pro testamento patrum vestrorum,

Now therefore, O my sons, be ye zealous for the law, and give your lives for the covenant of your fathers.

The more reason, my sons, why you should be jealous lovers of the law, ready to give your lives for that covenant your fathers knew.

et mementote operum patrum, quæ fecerunt in generationibus suis: et accipietis gloriam magnam, et nomen æternum.

And call to remembrance the works of the fathers, which they have done in their generations: and you shall receive great glory, and an everlasting name.

Your fathers, what deeds they did in their time! Great glory would you win, and a deathless name, let these be your models.

Abraham nonne in tentatione inventus est fidelis, et reputatum est ei ad justitiam?

Was not Abraham found faithful in temptation, and it was reputed to him unto justice?

See how Abraham was tested, and how trustfulness of his was counted virtue in him;

Joseph in tempore angustiæ suæ custodivit mandatum, et factus est dominus Ægypti.

Joseph in the time of his distress kept the commandment, and he was made lord of Egypt.

see how Joseph in ill fortune was true to the commandment still, and came to be ruler of all Egypt.

Phinees pater noster, zelando zelum Dei, accepit testamentum sacerdotii æterni.

Phinees our father, by being fervent in the zeal of God, received the covenant of an everlasting priesthood.

Here was Phinees, our own father, that grew hot in God’s cause, and earned the right of priesthood inalienable;

Jesus dum implevit verbum, factus est dux in Israël.

Jesus, whilst he fulfilled the word, was made ruler in Israel.

and Josue, that for his loyalty was given command of Israel;

Caleb dum testificatur in ecclesia, accepit hæreditatem.

Caleb, for bearing witness before the congregation, received an inheritance.

and Caleb, that spoke out in the assembly, what broad acres were his!

David in sua misericordia consecutus est sedem regni in sæcula.

David by his mercy obtained the throne of an everlasting kingdom.

David, for the tender heart of him, left a dynasty that fails not;

Elias, dum zelat zelum legis, receptus est in cælum.

Elias, while he was full of zeal for the law, was taken up into heaven.

for Elias heaven opened, that was champion of the law;

Ananias et Azarias et Misaël credentes, liberati sunt de flamma.

Ananias and Azarias and Misael by believing, were delivered out of the flame.

by faith Ananias, Azarias and Misael overcame the furnace,

Daniel in sua simplicitate liberatus est de ore leonum.

Daniel in his innocency was delivered out of the mouth of the lions.

nor Daniel’s innocence might ravening lions devour.

Et ita cogitate per generationem et generationem: quia omnes qui sperant in eum, non infirmantur.

And thus consider through all generations: that none that trust in him fail in strength.

No generation but proves it; want they never for strength that trust in God.

Et a verbis viri peccatoris ne timueritis, quia gloria ejus stercus et vermis est:

And fear not the words of a sinful man, for his glory is dung, and worms:

What, would you fear the tyrant’s threats? In dung and worms his glory shall end;

hodie extollitur, et cras non invenietur: quia conversus est in terram suam, et cogitatio ejus periit.

To day he is lifted up, and to morrow he shall not be found, because he is returned into his earth; and his thought is come to nothing.

all royal state to-day, and to-morrow there shall be no news of him; gone back to the dust he came from, and all his designs brought to nothing!

Vos ergo filii, confortamini, et viriliter agite in lege: quia in ipsa gloriosi eritis.

You therefore, my sons, take courage, and behave manfully in the law: for by it you shall be glorious.

Nay, my sons, take courage; in the law’s cause rally you, in the law’s annals you shall win renown.

Et ecce Simon frater vester, scio quod vir consilii est: ipsum audite semper, et ipse erit vobis pater.

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.

Here is your brother Simon, trust me, a man of prudence; to him ever give heed, he is your father now.

Et Judas Machabæus, fortis viribus a juventute sua, sit vobis princeps militiæ, et ipse aget bellum populi.

And Judas Machabeus who is valiant and strong from his youth up, let him be the leader of your army, and he shall manage the war of the people.

And here is Judas Machabaeus, from boyhood’s days a warrior; let him be your leader, and fight Israel’s battles.

Et adducetis ad vos omnes factores legis: et vindicate vindictam populi vestri.

And you shall take to you all that observe the law: and revenge ye the wrong of your people.

All lovers of the law make free of your fellowship; bring your country redress,

Retribuite retributionem gentibus, et intendite in præceptum legis.

Render to the Gentiles their reward, and take heed to the precepts of the law.

and pay the Gentiles what they have earned; yet heeding ever what the law enjoins.

Et benedixit eos, et appositus est ad patres suos.

And he blessed them, and was joined to his fathers.

With that, he gave them his blessing, and became part of his race.

Et defunctus est anno centesimo et quadragesimo sexto: et sepultus est a filiis suis in sepulchris patrum suorum in Modin, et planxerunt eum omnis Israël planctu magno.

And he died in the hundred and forty-sixth year: and he was buried by his sons in the sepulchres of his fathers in Modin, and all Israel mourned for him with great mourning.

He was a hundred and forty-six years old when he died; his sons buried him where his fathers were buried, at Modin, and great lament all Israel made for the loss of him.