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,
48 because they defended their laws against the Gentiles and Antiochus. No evil person stood a chance.
49 Right before Mattathias died, he said to his sons:The Gentiles are proud and violent, and we're going to have a horrible time.
50 But you, my sons, should be faithful to God's Law and be willing to die for the agreement that our ancestors made with God.