43. And all those who fled from the evils added themselves to them, and they became a firmament to them.
44. And they gathered together an army, and they struck down the sinners in their wrath and the wicked men in their indignation. And the others fled to the nations, so as to escape.
45. And Mattathias and his friends traveled around, and they destroyed the altars.
46. And they circumcised all the uncircumcised boys, whom they found within the limits of Israel, and they acted with fortitude.
47. And they pursued the sons of arrogance, and the work was prosperous in their hands.
48. And they obtained the law from the hands of the Gentiles, and from the hands of the kings. And they did not surrender the horn to the sinner.
49. Then the days drew near when Mattathias would die, and he said to his sons: "Now arrogance and chastisement have been strengthened, and it is a time of overturning and of the wrath of indignation.
50. Now therefore, O sons, be imitators of the law, and give your lives for the sake of the covenant of your fathers.
51. And call to mind the works of the fathers, which they have done in their generations. And you will receive great glory and an eternal name.
52. Was not Abraham found to be faithful in temptation, and so it was accounted to him as justice?
53. Joseph, in the time of his anguish, kept the commandment, and he was made ruler of Egypt.
54. Phinehas our father, being zealous in the zeal of God, received the covenant of an eternal priesthood.