41
At that time therefore they decreed, saying, "Whosoever shall come to do battle with us on the Sabbath day, we will fight against him; neither will we all die, as our brethren who were murdered in the secret places."
42
Then came there unto him a company of Hasideans who were mighty men of Israel, even all such as were voluntarily devoted unto the law.
43
Also all those who fled from persecution joined themselves unto them, and were a stay unto them.
44
So they joined their forces, and smote sinful men in their anger and wicked men in their wrath; but the rest fled to the heathen for succor.
45
Then Mattathias and his friends went round about and pulled down the altars;
46
and what children soever they found within the borders of Israel uncircumcised, those they circumcised valiantly.
47
They pursued also after the proud men, and the work prospered in their hand.
48
So they recovered the law out of the hand of the Gentiles and out of the hand of kings, neither suffered they the sinner to triumph.
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.