41 On that very day they made up their minds not to die like their relatives in the caves, and they decided to fight anyone who attacked them on the Sabbath.
42 About this time a very devout group of Jews joined Mattathias; they were some of the nation's best fighters and were willing to die for God's Law.
43 In fact, many others had found themselves in trouble with the Gentiles, and they also went to Mattathias, who soon had a large force.
44 Then those angry troops violently attacked the unfaithful Jews, forcing those who escaped to run to the Gentiles for protection.
45 Mattathias and his followers tore down every altar they found.
46 They had the young boys in Israel circumcised,
47 and they terrorized their arrogant enemies. Everything went well for Mattathias and his troops,