1 Maccabees 2:49-59

49 Now when the time drew near that Mattathias should die, he said unto his sons, "Now hath pride and disgrace gotten strength, and the time of destruction and the wrath of indignation.
50 Now therefore, my sons, be ye zealous for the law, and give your lives for the covenant of your fathers.
51 Call to remembrance what acts our fathers did in their time; so shall ye receive great honor and an everlasting name.
52 "Was not Abraham found faithful in temptation, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness?
53 Joseph in the time of his distress kept the commandment, and was made lord of Egypt.
54 Phinehas our father, in being zealous and fervent, obtained the covenant of an everlasting priesthood.
55 Joshua, for fulfilling the word, was made a judge in Israel.
56 Caleb, for bearing witness before the congregation, received the heritage of the land.
57 David, for being merciful, possessed the throne of an everlasting kingdom.
58 Elijah, for being zealous and fervent for the law, was taken up into heaven.
59 Hananiah, Azariah, and Mishael, by believing, were saved out of the flame.
Third Millennium Bible (TMB), New Authorized Version, Copyright 1998 by Deuel Enterprises, Inc., Gary, SD 57237. All rights reserved.