25. And the king’s officer, who compelled men to sacrifice, he killed at that time, and pulled down the altar.
26. And he was zealous for the law, even as Phinehas did to Zimri the son of Salu.
27. And Mattathias cried out in the city with a loud voice, saying, Whosoever is zealous for the law, and maintains the covenant, let him come forth after me.
28. And he and his sons fled into the mountains, and forsook all that they had in the city.
29. Then many that sought after justice and judgement went down into the wilderness, to dwell there,
30. they, and their sons, and their wives, and their cattle; because evils were multiplied upon them.
31. And it was told the king’s officers, and the forces that were in Jerusalem, the city of David, that certain men, who had broken the king’s commandment, were gone down into the secret places in the wilderness;