21. Heaven forbid that we should forsake the law and the commandments.
22. We will not obey the words of the king by departing from our religion in the slightest degree.”
23. As he finished saying these words, a certain Jew came forward in the sight of all to offer sacrifice on the altar in Modein according to the king’s order.
24. When Mattathias saw him, he was filled with zeal; his heart was moved and his just fury was aroused; he sprang forward and killed him upon the altar.
25. At the same time, he also killed the messenger of the king who was forcing them to sacrifice, and he tore down the altar.
26. Thus he showed his zeal for the law, just as Phinehas did with Zimri, son of Salu.
27. Then Mattathias cried out in the city, “Let everyone who is zealous for the law and who stands by the covenant follow me!”
28. Then he and his sons fled to the mountains, leaving behind in the city all their possessions.
29. At that time many who sought righteousness and justice went out into the wilderness to settle there,
30. they and their children, their wives and their animals, because misfortunes pressed so hard on them.
31. It was reported to the officers and soldiers of the king who were in the City of David, in Jerusalem, that those who had flouted the king’s order had gone out to secret refuges in the wilderness.
32. Many hurried out after them, and having caught up with them, camped opposite and prepared to attack them on the sabbath.