his whole kingdom: and he
appointed rulers over the people that should force them to do these
things.

1:54. And they commanded the cities of Juda to sacrifice.

1:55. Then many of the people were gathered to them that had forsaken
the law of the Lord: and they committed evils in the land:

1:56. And they drove away the people of Israel into lurking holes, and
into the secret places of fugitives.

1:57. On the fifteenth day of the month, Casleu, in the hundred and
forty-fifth year, king Antiochus set up the abominable idol of
desolation upon the altar of God, and they built altars throughout all
the cities of Juda round about:

The abominable idol, etc... Viz., the statue of Jupiter Olympius.

1:58. And they burnt incense, and sacrificed at the doors of the houses
and in the streets. 1:59. And they cut in pieces, and burnt with fire
the books of the law of God:

1:60. And every one with whom the books of the testament of the Lord
were found, and whosoever observed the law of the Lord, they put to
death, according to the edict of the king.

1:61. Thus by their power did they deal with the people of Israel, that
were found in the cities month after month.

1:62. And on the five and twentieth day of the month they sacrificed
upon the altar of the idol that was over against the altar of God.

1:63. Now the women that circumcised their children were slain according
to the commandment of king Antiochus,

1:64. And they hanged the children about their neck in all their houses:
and those that had circumcised them, they put to death.

1:65. And many of the people of Israel determined with themselves, that
they would not eat unclean things: and they chose rather to die, than to
be defiled with unclean meats:

1:66. And they would not break the holy law of God and they were put to
death:

1:67. And there was very great wrath upon the people.

1 Machabees Chapter 2.

The zeal and success of Mathathias. His exhortation to his sons at his
death.

2:1. In those days arose Mathathias, the son of John, the son of Simeon,
a priest of the sons of Joarib, from Jerusalem, and he abode in the
mountain of Modin:

2:2. And he had five sons: John, who was surnamed Gaddis:

2:3. And Simon, who was surnamed Thasi;

2:4. And Judas, who was called Machabeus;

2:5. And Eleazar, who was surnamed Abaron; and Jonathan, who was
surnamed Apphus.

2:6. These saw the evils that were done in the people of Juda, and in
Jerus