19
Then Mattathias answered and spake with a loud voice, Though all the nations that are under the king's dominion obey him, and fall away every one from the religion of their fathers, and give consent to his commandments:
20
Yet will I and my sons and my brethren walk in the covenant of our fathers.
21
God forbid that we should forsake the law and the ordinances.
22
We will not hearken to the king's words, to go from our religion, either on the right hand, or the left.
23
Now when he had left speaking these words, there came one of the Jews in the sight of all to sacrifice on the altar which was at Modin, according to the king's commandment.
24
Which thing when Mattathias saw, he was inflamed with zeal, and his reins trembled, neither could he forbear to shew his anger according to judgment: wherefore he ran, and slew him upon the altar.
25
Also the king's commissioner, who compelled men to sacrifice, he killed at that time, and the altar he pulled down.
26
Thus dealt he zealously for the law of God like as Phinees did unto Zambri the son of Salom.
27
And Mattathias cried throughout the city with a loud voice, saying, Whosoever is zealous of the law, and maintaineth the covenant, let him follow me.
28
So he and his sons fled into the mountains, and left all that ever they had in the city.
29
Then many that sought after justice and judgment went down into the wilderness, to dwell there: