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"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? The holy places are come into the hands of strangers: her temple is become as a man without honour. 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. What nation hath not inherited her kingdom, and gotten of her spoils? All her ornaments are taken away. She that was free is made a slave. And behold our sanctuary, and our beauty, and our glory is laid waste, and the Gentiles have defiled them. To what end then should we live any longer? And Mathathias and his sons rent their garments, and they covered themselves with haircloth, and made great lamentation." 1 Maccabees 2:7-14 DRA <p>Mathathias and his family lament the destruction of Jerusalem.

Mathathias Laments the Defilement of Jerusalem

"And Mathathias said: Woe is me, wherefore was I born to see the ruin of my people, and the ruin of…

"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. 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: Moreover the man whom king Antiochus had sent, who compelled them to sacrifice, he slew at the same time, and pulled down the altar." 1 Maccabees 2:23-25 DRA <p>Mathathias holds sword after slaying the Jew who had sacrificed to the idols in the city of Modin.

Mathathias Slays the Man Who Sacrificed to Idols

"Now as he left off speaking these words, there came a certain Jew in the sight of all to sacrifice…