Chapter 2

1There was a man born from the tribe of Benjamin whose name was called Maccabeus.

2He had three children who were handsome and totally warriors. They had been loved by all the people in the Midian and Median countries that were under the rule of the Seleucid King.

3And like the king commanded them when he found them: "Don't you bow to the Seleucid idols? How about not sacrificing?

4But if you refuse, we will seize and take you to the king, and we will destroy all your money as the king commanded."

5These handsome youths replied to him, saying, "As for Him whom we bow, there is our Father Creator who created the Earth and Heaven and everything within it, the sea, moon and sun, clouds, and stars. He is the True Creator whom we worship and in whom we believe."

6And these youths of the king were four, and the servants who carried shields and spears were a hundred.

7And when they wanted to seize these holy ones, they escaped from their hands, and there were none who could touch them, for these youths were totally warriors in power, seizing shields and spears.

8And there was one among them who could strangle and kill a panther, and at that time, he would strangle it like a chicken.

9And there was one among them who killed a lion with one rock or struck it with a stick at one time.

10And there was one among them who killed a hundred people in formation with one sword, and their name and their deeds were thus. It was called in all Babylon and Moab countries.

11And they were warriors in power, and they had a thing being loved and comeliness.

12And again, their features and comeliness were wondrous. However, because they worshiped JAH and did not fear death, it was their reasoning and comeliness that surpassed all.

13And when they frightened the troops, there were none who could seize them, but those who were warriors escaped, proceeding toward a lofty mountain.

14And those troops returned to the city and shut the fortress gate. They terrorized the people, saying, "Unless you bring those warriors, the Maccabees, we will burn your city in fire, and we will send for the king and destroy your country."

15And at that time, the country people - both rich and poor, daughters and sons - a child whose father and mother died upon him and an old daughter, everyone proceeded and shouted togethe, and they straightened their necks toward the mountain and shouted toward them, saying, "Don't destroy us and don't destroy our country for us."

16At that time, they wept together and they feared, arising from JAH.

17Returning their faces eastward and stretching forth their hands, they begged toward JAH together, "Lord, should we refuse these men who demolished Thy command and Thy law?

18Yet they believed in silver and gold and in the stone and wood that a person's hands worked. But we don't love that we might hear that criminal word - who didn't believe Thy law." they said.

19"When Thou art the Creator who saves and who kills, he makes himself like unto the one who creates him also - as if he is the one who spills a person's blood and who eats a person's flesh.

20But we don't love that we might see that criminal face nor hear his word," they said.

21"However, if Thou command us, we will go toward him because we believe in Thee. We will pass and give our bodies for death. And on the time he said 'Sacrifice, sacrifice for my creators,' we won't hear that criminal word.

22But we believe in Thee, Lord who examines kidneys and reasonings - our fathers' Creator - Abraham and Isaac and Jacob who did Thy accord and lived firmly in Thy law.

23Thou examine a person's reasoning and help the sinner and the righteous one - and there be none hidden from Thee. And he who took refuge is revealed alongside Thee.

24But we have no other Creator apart from Thee.

25That we might give our bodies for death because of Thy glorified name - however be power and firmness and a shelter for us in this work that we are ruled for Thee.

26And on the time 'Israel entered toward Gibeon country, Thou heard Jacob's plea and now glorified God - we beg Thee."

27"And at that time, two men with handsome features were seen standing before them. And when the fiery swords that were as frightening as lightning descended and cut their necks, they died. But at that time, they arose and were well like they were before."

28Their features' comeliness became totally handsome and they shone more than the sun - and they became more handsome than formerly.