45. Mattathias and his friends went everywhere tearing down pagan altars
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 people, “These are times of violence and distress. Arrogant men 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.
51. Remember what our ancestors did and how much they accomplished in their day. Follow their example, and you will be rewarded with great glory and undying fame.
52. Remember how Abraham put his trust in the Lord when he was tested and how the Lord was pleased with him and accepted him.
53. Joseph, in his time of trouble, obeyed God's commands and became ruler over the land of Egypt.
54. Phinehas, our ancestor, because of his burning devotion, was given the promise that his descendants would always be priests.
55. Joshua was made a judge in Israel because he obeyed the command of Moses.
56. Caleb brought back a good report to the community and was given a part of the land as a reward.
57. David was made king and was given the promise that his descendants would always be kings because of his steadfast loyalty to God.
58. Elijah, because of his great devotion to the Law, was taken up into heaven.
59. Hananiah, Azariah, and Mishael were saved from the flames because they had faith.
60. Daniel was a man of integrity, and the Lord rescued him from the mouth of the lions.
61. Take each of these ancestors of ours as an example, and you will realize that no one who puts his trust in the Lord will ever lack strength.
62. Don't be afraid of the threats of a wicked man. Remember that he will die and all his splendour will end with worms feeding on his decaying body.