40. They said to one another, “If we all do as our kindred have done, and do not fight against the Gentiles for our lives and our laws, they will soon destroy us from the earth.”
41. So on that day they came to this decision: “Let us fight against anyone who attacks us on the sabbath, so that we may not all die as our kindred died in their secret refuges.”
42. Then they were joined by a group of Hasideans, mighty warriors of Israel, all of them devoted to the law.
43. And all those who were fleeing from the persecutions joined them and supported them.
44. They gathered an army and struck down sinners in their wrath and the lawless in their anger, and the survivors fled to the Gentiles for safety.
45. Mattathias and his friends went about and tore down the pagan altars;
46. they also forcibly circumcised any uncircumcised boys whom they found in the territory of Israel.
47. They put to flight the arrogant, and the work prospered in their hands.
48. They saved the law from the hands of the Gentiles and of the kings and did not let the sinner triumph.
49. When the time came for Mattathias to die, he said to his sons: “Arrogance and scorn have now grown strong; it is a time of disaster and violent wrath.
50. Therefore, my children, be zealous for the law and give your lives for the covenant of our ancestors.
51. “Remember the deeds that our ancestors did in their times,and you shall win great honor and an everlasting name.
52. Was not Abraham found faithful in trial,and it was credited to him as righteousness?
53. Joseph, when in distress, kept the commandment,and he became master of Egypt.
54. Phinehas our ancestor, for his burning zeal,received the covenant of an everlasting priesthood.
55. Joshua, for executing his commission,became a judge in Israel.