27
Then Mattathias cried out in the city with a loud voice, saying: "Let every one who is zealous for the law and supports the covenant come out with me!"
25
At the same time he killed the king's officer who was forcing them to sacrifice, and he tore down the altar.
26
Thus he burned with zeal for the law, as Phinehas did against Zimri the son of Salu.
27
Then Mattathias cried out in the city with a loud voice, saying: "Let every one who is zealous for the law and supports the covenant come out with me!"
28
And he and his sons fled to the hills and left all that they had in the city.
29
Then many who were seeking righteousness and justice went down to the wilderness to dwell there,
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.