21. May God be forgiving to us. It is not useful for us to abandon the law and the justices of God.
22. We will not listen to the words of king Antiochus, nor will we sacrifice, transgressing the commandments of our law, so as to set out on another way."
23. And, as he ceased speaking these words, a certain Jew approached in the sight of all to sacrifice to the idols upon the altar in the city of Modin, according to the order of the king.
24. And Mattathias saw, and he grieved, and his temperament trembled, and his fury was enkindled according to the judgment of the law, and leaping up, he slaughtered him on the altar.
25. Moreover, the man whom king Antiochus had sent, who compelled them to immolate, he killed at the same time, and he destroyed the altar,
26. and he was zealous for the law, just as Phinehas did to Zimri, the son of Salomi.
27. And Mattathias exclaimed with a loud voice in the city, saying, "All who hold zeal for the law, maintaining the covenant, let them follow me."
28. And he and his sons fled to the mountains, and they left behind whatever they had in the city.
29. Then many who sought judgment and justice went down into the desert.
30. And they camped there, with their sons, and their wives, and their herds, because evils had overwhelmed them.
31. And it was reported to the king's men, and to the army that was in Jerusalem, in the city of David, that certain men, who had cast aside the commandment of the king, had departed into the hidden places in the desert, and that many had followed after them.
32. And immediately, they went out to them, and they arranged a battle against them, on the day of the Sabbath.
33. And they said to them: "And now, do you still resist? Go out and act according to the word of king Antiochus, and you will live."
34. And they said, "We will not go out, and we will not do the king's word, so as to profane the day of the Sabbath."
35. And they rushed against them in battle.
36. But they did not respond, nor did they cast a stone at them, nor did they barricade the hidden places,