19. But Mattathias answered loudly, "Even if all the nations that live under the king’s rule obey him and have chosen to follow his orders, departing from their ancestral religion,
20. My sons and brothers and I will continue to live according to our ancestors’ covenant.
21. We will never abandon the Law and its commands!
22. We won’t obey the king’s orders by turning aside from our religion to either the right or the left."
23. When he finished speaking, a Jew came forward in plain sight to offer sacrifice on the altar in Modein, in keeping with the king’s command.
24. When Mattathias saw this action, he burned with zeal, and his spirit was stirred up. He gave way to his righteous anger, and he ran over and killed the man on the altar.
25. He also killed the king’s officer who was overseeing the sacrifice at that time, and he tore down the altar.
26. He burned with zeal for the Law, just like Phinehas did against Zimri, Salu’s son.
27. Then Mattathias shouted loudly in the town, "Everyone who is zealous for the Law and supports the covenant should come with me!"
28. So he and his sons fled to the hills and left behind all that they had in the town.
29. At that time, many who sought righteousness and justice went to live in the desert.
30. They were there with their sons, their wives, and their livestock because troubles pressed heavily on them.
31. The king’s officers and the troops in Jerusalem, David’s City, learned that those who had rejected the king’s command had gone down to hiding places in the wilderness.
32. Many pursued and overtook them. The king’s military forces camped opposite them and prepared for battle against them on the Sabbath.