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.
56. Caleb, for bearing witness before the assembly,received an inheritance in the land.
57. David, for his loyalty,received as a heritage a throne of eternal kingship.
58. Elijah, for his burning zeal for the law,was taken up to heaven.
59. Hananiah, Azariah and Mishael, for their faith,were saved from the fire.
60. Daniel, for his innocence,was delivered from the mouths of lions.
61. And so, consider this from generation to generation,that none who hope in Heaven shall fail in strength.