33. They said to them: "Enough of this! Come out and do what the king commands, and you will live."
34. But the Israelites replied: "We won’t come out, and we won’t do what the king commands and so violate the Sabbath."
35. So the enemy immediately attacked them.
36. Still they didn’t answer or throw a rock at them or even block up their hiding places.
37. They said, "Let’s all die in our innocence. Heaven and earth testify on our behalf that you are killing us unjustly."
38. So the troops attacked them on the Sabbath. They died, with their wives and children and livestock, as many as one thousand people.
39. When Mattathias and his friends learned about this, they deeply mourned for the dead.
40. They said to each other: "If we all do as our people have done and refuse to fight against the Gentiles for our lives and our commandments, they will soon eliminate us from the earth."
41. So they decided that day: "We will fight against anyone who comes to attack us on the Sabbath. Let’s not all die as our people did in their hiding places."
42. At that time a company of Hasideans, mighty warriors of Israel, united with them. They offered their lives willingly for the Law.
43. Others who became fugitives to escape their troubles joined them as well and reinforced them.
44. Together they organized an army. In their fury, they struck down sinners and renegades. Survivors fled to the Gentiles for safety.
45. Mattathias and his friends went around tearing down the altars to other gods.
46. They forcibly circumcised boys whom they found uncircumcised within the borders of Israel.
47. They hunted down arrogant people, and their missions were successful.
48. They rescued the Law from the power of the Gentiles and kings, and they never let the sinner regain power.
49. Now the days drew near for Mattathias to die, and he spoke to his sons: “Arrogance and contempt are present everywhere. It is a time of ruin and raging anger.
50. Now, my children, demonstrate zeal for the Law, and give your lives for our ancestors’ covenant.
51. “Remember the deeds of the ancestors, which they did in their day, and you will inherit great honor and everlasting remembrance.