First Reading1 Maccabees 2:15-29
From the First Book of Maccabees
15And the king’s officerswho were enforcing the apostasy came into the city Modin to sacrifice.16Many of Israel came to them,and Mattathias and his sons were gathered together.17The king’s officers answered and spoke to Mattathias,saying, “You are a ruler and an honorableand great man in this city,and strengthened with sons and kindred.18Now therefore come firstand do the commandment of the king,as all the nations have done,including the men of Judahand those who remain in Jerusalem.You and your house will be numbered among the king’s friends,and you and your sons will be honored with silverand gold and many gifts.”
19And Mattathias answered and said with a loud voice,“If all the nationsthat are in the house of the king’s dominion listen to him,to fall away each one from the worship of his fathers,and have chosen to follow his commandments,20yet I and my sonsand my kindred will walk in the covenant of our fathers.21Far be it from usthat we should forsake the law and the ordinances.22We will not listen to the king’s words,to turn aside from our worship,to the right hand, or to the left.”
23When he had finished speaking these words,a Jew came in the sight of all to sacrifice on the altar which was at Modin,according to the king’s commandment.24Mattathias saw it,so his zeal was kindled,and his guts trembled,and he vented his wrath according to judgment,and ran and killed him upon the altar.25He killed the king’s officer,who compelled men to sacrifice,at the same time, and pulled down the altar.26He was zealous for the law,even as Phinehas did to Zimri the son of Salu.
27Mattathias cried out in the city with a loud voice,saying, “Whoever is zealous for the lawand maintains the covenant,let him follow me!”28He and his sons fled into the mountains,and left all that they had in the city.
29Then many who sought justiceand judgment went down into the wilderness to live there—