26 and he was zealous for the law, just as Phinehas did to Zimri, the son of Salomi.
27 And Mattathias exclaimed with a loud voice in the city, saying, "All who hold zeal for the law, maintaining the covenant, let them follow me."
28 And he and his sons fled to the mountains, and they left behind whatever they had in the city.
29 Then many who sought judgment and justice went down into the desert.
30 And they camped there, with their sons, and their wives, and their herds, because evils had overwhelmed them.
31 And it was reported to the king's men, and to the army that was in Jerusalem, in the city of David, that certain men, who had cast aside the commandment of the king, had departed into the hidden places in the desert, and that many had followed after them.
32 And immediately, they went out to them, and they arranged a battle against them, on the day of the Sabbath.