stoutest of Israel, every one that had a good will for the law.

The Assideans... A set of men that led a religious life; and were
zealous for the law and worship of God.

2:43. And all they that fled from the evils, joined themselves to them,
and were a support to them.

2:44. And they gathered an army, and slew the sinners in their wrath,
and the wicked men in their indignation: and the rest fled to the
nations for safety.

2:45. And Mathathias and his friends went round about, and they threw
down the altars:

2:46. And they circumcised all the children whom they found in the
confines of Israel that were uncircumcised: and they did valiantly.

2:47. And they pursued after the children of pride, and the work
prospered in their hands:

2:48. And they recovered the law out of the hands of the nations, and
out of the hands of the kings: and they yielded not the horn to the
sinner.

They yielded not the horn, etc... That is, they suffered not the power
of Antiochus, that man of sin, to abolish the law and religion of God.

2:49. Now the days drew near that Mathathias should die, and he said to
his sons: Now hath pride and chastisement gotten strength, and the time
of destruction, and the wrath of indignation:

2:50. Now, therefore, O my sons, be ye zealous for the law, and give
your lives for the covenant of your fathers.

2:51. And call to remembrance the works of the fathers, which they have
done in their generations: and you shall receive great glory, and an
everlasting name.

2:52. Was not Abraham found faithful in temptation, and it was reputed
to him unto justice?

2:53. Joseph, in the time of his distress, kept the commandment, and he
was made lord of Egypt.

2:54. Phinees, our father, by being fervent in the zeal of God, received
the covenant of an everlasting priesthood.

2:55. Jesus, whilst he fulfilled the word, was made ruler in Israel.

Jesus... That is, Josue.

2:56. Caleb, for bearing witness before the congregation, received an
inheritance.

2:57. David, by his mercy, obtained the throne of an everlasting
kingdom.

2:58. Elias, while he is full of zeal for the law, was taken up into
heaven.

2:59. Ananias and Azarias and Misael, by believing, were delivered out
of the flame.

2:60. Daniel, in his innocency, was delivered out of the mouth of the
lions.

2:61. And thus consider, through all generations: that none that trust
in him, fail in strength.

2:62. And fear not the wo