43
And all they that fled from the evils, joined themselves to them, and were a support to them.
44
And they gathered an army, and slew the sinners in their wrath, and the wicked men in their indignation: and the rest fled to the nations for safety.
45
And Mathathias and his friends went round about, and they threw down the altars:
46
And they circumcised all the children whom they found in the confines of Israel that were uncircumcised: and they did valiantly.
47
And they pursued after the children of pride, and the work prospered in their hands:
48
And they recovered the law out of the hands of the nations, and out of the hands of the kings: and they yielded not the horn to the sinner.
49
Now the days drew near that Mathathias should die, and he said to his sons: Now hath pride and chastisement gotten strength, and the time of destruction, and the wrath of indignation:
50
Now therefore, O my sons, be ye zealous for the law, and give your lives for the covenant of your fathers.
51
And call to remembrance the works of the fathers, which they have done in their generations: and you shall receive great glory, and an everlasting name.
52
Was not Abraham found faithful in temptation, and it was reputed to him unto justice?
53
Joseph in the time of his distress kept the commandment, and he was made lord of Egypt.