4. Judas, called Maccabeus;
5. Eleazar, called Avaran; and Jonathan, called Apphus.
6. Mattathias saw the offensive actions against God that were taking place in Judah and Jerusalem.
7. He said:"Horrible! Why was I born to see this—the ruin of my people,the ruin of the holy city?Why was I born to live there when it was given over to the enemy,and when the sanctuarywas given over to strangers?
8. Her temple has becomelike a person stripped of honor.
9. Her glorious equipmenthas been taken away into exile.Her babies have been killedin her streets,her young peopleby the enemy’s sword.
10. Is there a nation that hasn’ttaken away some part of her majestyand seized upon her loot?