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⁴²Then came there unto him a company of Assideans who were mighty men of Israel, even all such as were voluntarily devoted unto the law.
⁴³Also all they that fled for persecution joined themselves unto them, and were a stay unto them.
⁴⁴So they joined their forces, and smote sinful men in their anger, and wicked men in their wrath: but the rest fled to the heathen for succour.
⁴⁵Then Mattathias and his friends went round about, and pulled down the altars:
⁴⁶And what children soever they found within the coast of Israel uncircumcised, those they circumcised valiantly.
⁴⁷They pursued also after the proud men, and the work prospered in their hand.
⁴⁸So they recovered the law out of the hand of the Gentiles, and out of the hand of kings, neither suffered they the sinner to triumph.
⁴⁹Now when the time drew near that Mattathias should die, he said unto his sons, Now hath pride and rebuke gotten strength, and the time of destruction, and the wrath of indignation:
⁵⁰Now therefore, my sons, be ye zealous for the law, and give your lives for the covenant of your fathers.
⁵¹Call to remembrance what acts our fathers did in their time; so shall ye receive great honour and an everlasting name.
⁵²Was not Abraham found faithful in temptation, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness?
⁵³Joseph in the time of his distress kept the commandment and was made lord of Egypt.
⁵⁴Phinees our father in being zealous and fervent obtained the covenant of an everlasting priesthood.
⁵⁵Jesus for fulfilling the word was made a judge in Israel.
⁵⁶Caleb for bearing witness before the congregation received the heritage of the land.
⁵⁷David for being merciful possessed the throne of an everlasting kingdom.
⁵⁸Elias for being zealous and fervent for the law was taken up into heaven.
⁵⁹Ananias, Azarias, and Misael, by believing were saved out of the flame.
⁶⁰Daniel for his innocency was delivered from the mouth of lions.
⁶¹And thus consider ye throughout all ages, that none that put their trust in him shall be overcome.
⁶²Fear not then the words of a sinful man: for his glory shall be dung and worms.
⁶³To day he shall be lifted up and to morrow he shall not be found, because he is returned into his dust, and his thought is come to nothing.
⁶⁴Wherefore, ye my sons, be valiant and shew yourselves men in the behalf of the law; for by it shall ye obtain glory.
⁶⁵And behold, I know that your brother Simon is a man of counsel, give ear unto him alway: he shall be a father unto you.
⁶⁶As for Judas Maccabeus, he hath been mighty and strong, even from his youth up: let him be your captain, and fight the battle of the people.