Chapter 1

Some Jews abandoned their religion and made a pact with King Antiochus Epiphanes, a Seleucid king of the Greeks. 

Antiochus conquered many lands, including Israel.
He plundered the Temple and forced the Jews to renounce their religion.

But many Jews courageously stood firm and were punished with death.

This was a sad and terrible time for Israel.

第 1 章  

一些犹太人背弃他们的宗教，并与一个希腊人塞琉古君王安提约古厄丕法乃王立约。  

安提约古征服了许多国家，包括以色列。
他抢掠圣殿和迫使犹太人放弃他们的宗教。  

但很多犹太人勇敢地坚定不移和被处死。  

这是以色列一段可悲和可怕的时期。  

Dear God, please help us stay faithful to you

亲爱的神，请帮助我们始终忠于你

Chapter 2

Mattathias was a Jew loyal to his religion at a time when most people were not loyal.

When the king's representative came to the town of Mattathias
and started forcing people to take part in pagan ceremonies,
Mattathias killed the representative.

Mattathias then called on everyone loyal to God
to join him in the desert.

Mattathias soon had a small army which gradually won control
of many parts of the country and restored observance of God's law.

When Mattathias was coming to the end of his life
he appointed his son Judas as his army successor.

第 2 章  

玛塔提雅是犹太人，忠于他的宗教
正当大部分人不忠心。  

当官吏来到玛塔提雅的城镇时，
并开始迫使人们参与异教仪式，
玛塔提雅杀死官吏。  

然后玛塔提雅呼吁每个忠于神的人加入他到旷野。  

玛塔提雅不久有一支小军队，它逐渐取得控制该国
许多地区和恢复遵守神的法律。  

当玛塔提雅临终时，
他任命他的儿子犹大作为他的军队继承人。  

Dear God, help us to be loyal to you like Mattathias

亲爱的神，帮助我们像玛塔提雅那样忠于你

Chapter 3

Judas led the people in many successful battles.
He often said that it is easy for a great number of soldiers to be defeated by a few.

"Victory in war does not depend on the size of an army.
It is from heaven that strength comes".

As Judas' fame spread, King Antiochus ordered a huge army to attack Judas.

第 3 章

犹大在许多胜战中率领百姓。
他经常说庞大的兵力很容易被孤军击败。  

“战胜不是取决于军队的多寡。
力量来自上天。”  

随着犹大的声名远播，安提约古王下令大军进攻犹大。

Dear God, please help us put our trust in you
rather than in anyone or anything else

亲爱的神，请帮助我们信赖你，
而不是任何人或其它的

Chapter 4

The army of Antiochus was led by Gorgias and had 40,000 men.
Judas and his men numbered only 3,000.

Judas implored God for help and then fought bravely.
The army of Gorgias was routed.

The next year another force, numbering 60,000 men, was sent against Judas who had 10,000 men.

Once again by prayer and courage, Judas was victorious.
Judas gave thanks to God, and then went to Jerusalem.

In Jerusalem Judas re-dedicated the Temple
and re-built the city walls

第 4 章  

哥尔基雅率领安提约古的四万士兵。
犹大和他仅有的三千士兵。  

犹大恳求神帮助，然后勇敢地打仗。
哥尔基雅的军队被击溃。  

次年另外六万军队被派遣对抗犹大和他的一万士兵。  

再一次借着祈祷和勇气，犹大战胜。
犹大感谢神，然后前往耶路撒冷。  

在耶路撒冷，犹大祝圣新圣坛，
和重建城墙。  

Dear God, please give me the courage of Judas

亲爱的神，请给我犹大的勇气

Chapters 5, 6

As the years went on, several nearby countries made war
on Israel. But Judas and his followers used prayer and courage to defeat all enemies.

When King Antiochus heard of Judas' continued victories,
he became severely depressed and realized he was dying.

The king's son succeeded him and he too sent a huge army
against Israel. 

This army also failed to defeat Judas.
The king then made peace with the Jews and for a time there was peace.

第 5、6 章  

岁月流逝，一些邻近国家攻打以色列。  
但犹大和他的追随者用祈祷和勇气打败所有敌人。  

当安提约古王听说犹大节节胜利，
他变得严重沮丧和知道自己生命垂危。    

君王的儿子继承他，而他也派遣大军对抗以色列。  

这支军队亦未能打败犹大。
君王因此与犹太人讲和，结果有暂时和平。

Dear God, please help all nations to live in peace

亲爱的神，请帮助所有国家和平共处

Chapter 7

Some Jews who were disloyal to Judas joined with supporters of the new king, Demetrius, to plot the overthrow of Judas.

Nicanor, one of the king's generals, was sent to defeat Judas
and exterminate the Jews.

But when the battle took place, Nicanor himself died and his army was routed.

Once again the land experienced peace for a while.

第 7 章  

一些对犹大不忠的犹太人联同新君王德默特琉的支持者，
密谋推翻犹大。  

尼加诺尔，君王的将军之一，被派遣击败犹大并歼灭犹太人。  

但当战役进行时，尼加诺尔自己阵亡而他的军队被击溃。  

再一次土地经历一段和平。  

Dear God, please protect us from people who are disloyal

亲爱的神，请保护我们免受不忠的人之害

Chapter 8

Judas had heard about the Romans: how they had conquered many lands and yet acted in a friendly way to other nations.

Judas therefore sent representatives to Rome  and an alliance was agreed to with the Romans.

Judas' aim was to obtain protection and peace for Israel.

第 8 章  

犹大得知罗马人：他们如何征服许多国家，
还采取友好的方式对待其它国家。  

犹大因此派遣代表往罗马与罗马人缔结盟约。  

犹大之目的是为以色列获取保护及和平。  

Dear God, may peace and justice be the aim of all leaders

亲爱的神，愿和平和正义是所有领袖的目标

Chapter 9

King Demetrius sent another army against Israel.
The size of this army was so large that many of Judas'
soldiers deserted him.

Judas had only a small force to fight the king's army.
Judas could have saved his life by running away from the battle,
but he courageously chose to stay and fight.

Judas died in the battle and his troops fled.

Judas' brother Jonathan succeeded him as leader of the Jews.

Jonathan gradually reclaimed control of most of the country
and again there was peace for a time.

第 9 章  

德默特琉王派遣另一支军队对抗以色列。
这支军队是如此庞大，
以至很多犹大的士兵离弃他。  

犹大仅有一支小部队对抗君王的军队。
犹大可以从战役逃离以挽救他的生命，
但他勇敢地选择留下来战斗。  

犹大在战役中阵亡而他的军队逃走。  

犹大的兄弟约纳堂继承他作为犹太人的领袖。  

约纳堂逐渐地取回该国大部分地区的控制，
并再次有一段和平。  

Dear God, please give me some of the courage of Judas

亲爱的神，请给我一些犹大的勇气

Chapter 10

When King Demetrius was challenged for the throne by Alexander, Demetrius tried to get Jonathan's support for a possible war with Alexander.

Alexander then also sought Jonathan's support, and appointed him as high priest of Israel.

Demetrius again tried to win Jonathan's support, but Jonathan
and the Jews did not trust Demetrius.

Alexander and Demetrius went to war. Demetrius  died in the battle.

Alexander then became king. He married Cleopatra, daughter of Egypt's Ptolemy, thus securing a treaty with Egypt.

Jonathan met Alexander and Ptolemy and was given great honor in their presence.

About 147 B.C. Demetrius son of Demetrius challenged Alexander for the throne.

This younger Demetrius also challenged Jonathan to fight.

Jonathan defeated the army of Demetrius.
Alexander then gave Jonathan new honors.

第 10 章  

当亚历山大挑战德默特琉王的王位时，
德默特琉设法获取约纳堂支持他与亚历山大一场可能发生的战争。

当时亚历山大也寻求约纳堂的支持，并委任他为以色列的大司祭。  

德默特琉再次尝试获得约纳堂的支持，但是约纳堂和犹太人不信任德默特琉。  

亚历山大和德默特琉开战。 德默特琉在战役中阵亡。

亚历山大其后成为君王。他跟埃及王仆托肋米的女儿克娄帕达结婚，从而取得与埃及的协定。  

约纳堂会见亚历山大和仆托肋米，他们并当面授予他莫大的荣誉。  

大约公元前147年。德默特琉的儿子德默特琉挑战亚历山大的王位。  

这年轻的德默特琉也挑战约纳堂交战。  

约纳堂打败德默特琉的军队。
亚历山大然后给予约纳堂新的荣誉。  

Dear God, please help all countries live at peace with each other

亲爱的神，请帮助所有国家彼此和平共处

Chapter 11

King Ptolemy of Egypt pretended to be friends with Alexander.
But then he went to war with Alexander.

Ptolemy's army won the battle, but not long after both Ptolemy and Alexander died.

Demetrius then became king.  He had an unstable relationship with Jonathan even though Jonathan on one occasion rescued him from former supporters of Alexander.

Demetrius was replaced as king by a young Antiochus.
Antiochus confirmed Jonathan's position as leader of Israel.

第 11 章  

埃及王仆托肋米假装与亚历山大是朋友。 
但后来他跟亚历山大开战。  

仆托肋米的军队赢得战役，但不久仆托肋米和亚历山大去世。  

德默特琉其后成为君王。 他与约纳堂有一种不稳定的关系，即使约纳堂曾经从亚历山大的前支持者将他营救。  

德默特琉被年轻的安提约古取代为君王。
安提约古确认约纳堂为以色列的领袖。

Dear God, please stop countries from fighting each other

亲爱的神，请阻止国家互相对抗

Chapter 12

Jonathan sent a delegation to Rome to renew his treaty with the Romans.  He also renewed treaties with other groups, all the time using politics to secure peace for Israel.

But Demetrius once again made war on Jonathan, this time with
a larger army than before.

Jonathan bravely faced and defeated Demetrius' army before they could enter the land of Israel.

Not long after this Jonathan was tricked and captured  by Trypho who wanted to become king of Asia, replacing Antiochus.

第 12 章  

约纳堂派遣使者往罗马跟罗马人重修盟约。 
他也跟其他族人重修盟约，
一直使用政治来获取以色列的和平。  

但是德默特琉再一次对约纳堂开战，
这次大军比以前更强大。  

在他们进入以色列领土前，约纳堂勇敢地面对和打败德默特琉的军队。  

不久约纳堂被特黎丰欺骗和捉拿，他想成为亚细亚王，取代安提约古。    

Dear God, please give wisdom and courage to all leaders

亲爱的神，请给所有领袖智慧和勇气

Chapters 13, 14

After Jonathan's capture, Jonathan's brother Simon became leader of the Jews.  He rallied the people to defend their land
against an attack by Trypho.

Trypho was forced to abandon his attack by a heavy snowfall.
As he returned to his own land, he killed Jonathan.

Trypho killed Antiochus and became king of Asia.

Simon made peace with Demetrius. He also renewed the treaties with Sparta and the Romans.

Israel had peace during the time of Simon.

第 13、14 章  

约纳堂被捉拿后，约纳堂的兄弟息孟成为犹太人的领袖。 
他召集民众对抗特黎丰的攻击以保卫他们的领土。  

特黎丰因下大雪而被迫放弃他的攻击。
当他回国，他杀死约纳堂。  

特黎丰杀死安提约古，并成为亚细亚王。  

息孟与德默特琉言归于好。 他再次与斯巴达人和罗马人重修盟约。  

息孟执政期间，以色列国泰民安。  

Dear God, please give the world
leaders who work for peace

亲爱的神，请给世界力争和平的领袖

Chapter 15

In 138 B.C., Antiochus son of Demetrius made war with Trypho.
This same Antiochus became hostile to Simon  after the Romans
renewed their treaty with Israel.

When Antiochus sent an army to attack Israel,
Simon defeated that army.

A disloyal and ambitious Jew named Ptolemy got Simon and two of his sons drunk at a banquet and killed them.

Simon was succeeded by his son John as leader of the Jews.

第 15 章  

在公元前一三八年，德默特琉的儿子安提约古与特黎丰开战。同一个安提约古变得敌对息孟，当罗马人与以色列重修盟约后。  

当安提约古派遣军队进攻以色列，
息孟打败那支军队。  

一个不忠和有野心的犹太人仆托肋米乘息孟和他的两个儿子在宴会上喝醉，就杀死他们。  

息孟的儿子若望继承为犹太人的领袖。  

Dear God,  please protect good leaders from disloyalty

亲爱的神， 请保护好领袖免受不忠的行为所害