37
for they said, "Let us all die in our innocence; heaven and earth testify for us that you are killing us unjustly."
38
So they attacked them on the sabbath, and they died, with their wives and children and livestock, to the number of a thousand persons.
39
When Mattathias and his friends learned of it, they mourned for them deeply.
40
And all said to their neighbors: "If we all do as our kindred have done and refuse to fight with the Gentiles for our lives and for our ordinances, they will quickly destroy us from the earth."
41
So they made this decision that day: "Let us fight against anyone who comes to attack us on the sabbath day; let us not all die as our kindred died in their hiding places."
42
Then there united with them a company of Hasideans, mighty warriors of Israel, all who offered themselves willingly for the law.
43
And all who became fugitives to escape their troubles joined them and reinforced them.
44
They organized an army, and struck down sinners in their anger and renegades in their wrath; the survivors fled to the Gentiles for safety.
45
And Mattathias and his friends went around and tore down the altars;
46
they forcibly circumcised all the uncircumcised boys that they found within the borders of Israel.
47
They hunted down the arrogant, and the work prospered in their hands.