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

• 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.
• Was not Abraham found faithful in temptation, and it was reputed to him unto justice?
• Joseph in the time of his distress kept the commandment, and he was made lord of Egypt.
• Phinees our father, by being fervent in the zeal of God, received the covenant of an everlasting priesthood.
• Jesus (Joshua), whilst he fulfilled the word, was made ruler in Israel.
• Caleb, for bearing witness before the congregation, received an inheritance.
• David by his mercy obtained the throne of an everlasting kingdom.
• Elias, while he was full of zeal for the law, was taken up into heaven.
• Ananias and Azarias and Misael by believing were delivered out of the flame.
• Daniel in his innocency was delivered out of the mouth of the lions.
• And thus consider through all generations:
  • that none that trust in him fail in strength.
  • And fear not the words of a sinful man, for his glory is dung, and worms:
  • 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.
  • You therefore, my sons, take courage, and behave manfully in the law: for by it you shall be glorious.
• 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.
  • And Judas Machabeus who hath been 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 you shall take to you all that observe the law:
  • and revenge ye the wrong of your people.
  • Render to the Gentiles their reward, and take heed to the precepts of the law.
• And he blessed them, and was joined to his fathers.
• And he died in the hundred and forty-sixth year: and he was buried in the sepulchres of his fathers in Modin, and all Israel mourned for him with great mourning.
  • Mattathias died in 166 B.C., a year after the beginning of the revolt.

Eulogy of a Hero

Then his son Judas, called Machabeus, rose up in his stead. And all his brethren helped him, and all they that had joined themselves to his father, and they fought with cheerfulness the battle of Israel.

• And he got his people great honour, and put on a breastplate as a giant, and girt his warlike armour about him in battles, and protected the camp with his sword.
• In his acts he was like a lion, and like a lion’s whelp roaring for his prey.
• And he pursued the wicked and sought them out, and them that troubled his people he burnt with fire.
• And his enemies were driven away for fear of him, and all the workers of iniquity were troubled: and salvation prospered in his hand.
• And he grieved many kings, and made Jacob glad with his works, and his memory is blessed for ever.
• And he went through the cities of Juda, and destroyed the wicked out of them, and turned away wrath from Israel.
• And he was renowned even to the utmost part of the earth, and he gathered them that were perishing.