40. And one said to another, If we all do as our brethren have done, and fight not against the Gentiles for our lives and our ordinances, they will now quickly destroy us from off the earth.
41. And they took counsel on that day, saying, whoever shall come against us to battle on the Sabbath day, let us fight against him, and we shall in no wise all die, as our brethren died in the secret places.
42. Then were gathered together to them a company of Hasidaeans, mighty men of Israel, every one that offered himself willingly for the law.
43. And all they that fled from the evils were added to them, and became a stay to them.
44. And they mustered a host, and struck sinners in their anger, and lawless men in their wrath: and the rest fled to the Gentiles for safety.
45. And Mattathias and his friends went round about, and pulled down the altars;
46. and they circumcised by force the children that were uncircumcised, as many as they found in the coasts of Israel.
47. And they pursued after the sons of pride, and the work prospered in their hand.
48. And they rescued the law out of the hand of the Gentiles, and out of the hand of the kings, neither suffered they the sinner to triumph.
49. And the days of Mattathias drew near that he should die, and he said to his sons, Now have pride and rebuke gotten strength, and a season of overthrow, and wrath of indignation.
50. And now, my children, be you⌃ zealous for the law, and give your lives for the covenant of your fathers.
51. And call to remembrance the deeds of our fathers which they did in their generations; and receive great glory and an everlasting name.
52. Was not Abraham found faithful in temptation, and it was reckoned to him for righteousness?
53. Joseph in the time of his distress kept the commandment, and became lord of Egypt.
54. Phinehas our father, for that he was zealous exceedingly, obtained the covenant of an everlasting priesthood.