1 Maccabees 2:42-48
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Counter-Attack
42 Then there united with them a company of Hasideans, mighty warriors of Israel, all who offered themselves willingly for the law.(A) 43 And all who became fugitives to escape their troubles joined them and reinforced them. 44 They organized an army and struck down sinners in their anger and renegades in their wrath; the survivors fled to the nations for safety.(B) 45 And Mattathias and his friends went around and tore down the altars; 46 they forcibly circumcised all the uncircumcised boys whom they found within the borders of Israel. 47 They hunted down the arrogant, and the work prospered in their hands. 48 They rescued the law out of the hands of the nations and kings, and they never let the sinner gain the upper hand.
Read full chapterNew Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.