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.
55. Jesus, since he fulfilled the word, was made a commander in Israel.
56. Caleb, since he testified in the assembly, received an inheritance.
57. David, in his mercy, obtained the throne of a kingdom for all generations.
58. Elijah, since he was zealous with a zeal for the law, was received into heaven.
59. Hananiah and Azariah and Mishael, by believing, were delivered from the flame.
60. Daniel, in his simplicity, was delivered from the mouth of the lions.