46
and circumcising by force every uncircumcised boy they found within the borders of Israel.
47
They were also successful in hunting down the arrogant Gentile officials.
48
They rescued the Law of Moses from the Gentiles and their kings and broke the power of the wicked King Antiochus.
49
When the time came for Mattathias to die, he said to his sons, "These are times of violence and distress. Arrogant people are in control and have made us an object of ridicule.
50
But you, my sons, must be devoted to the Law and ready to die to defend God's covenant with our ancestors.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.