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 of her kingdom and gotten of her spoils?
11
All her ornaments are taken away; from a free woman she has 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 sorely.
15
In the meanwhile the king's officers, such as compelled the people to revolt, came into the city of Modin to make them sacrifice.
16
And when many of Israel came unto them, Mattathias also and his sons came together.
17
Then answered the king's officers, and said to Mattathias in this manner: "Thou art a ruler, and an honorable and great man in this city, and strengthened with sons and brethren.
18
Now therefore come thou first and fulfill the king's commandment, as all the heathen have done, yea, and the men of Judah also and such as remain at Jerusalem. So shalt thou and thy house be in the number of the king's friends, and thou and thy children shall be honored with silver and gold and many rewards."
19
Then Mattathias answered and spoke with a loud voice: "Though all the nations that are under the king's dominion obey him, and fall away every one from the religion of their fathers, and give consent to his commandments,