1 Maccabees 2:40-42

Common English Bible

⁴⁰ They said to each other: “If we all do as our people have done and refuse to fight against the Gentiles for our lives and our commandments, they will soon eliminate us from the earth.” ⁴¹ So they decided that day: “We will fight against anyone who comes to attack us on the Sabbath. Let’s not all die as our people did in their hiding places.”

Counterattack

⁴² At that time a company of Hasideans,^[a] mighty warriors of Israel, united with them. They offered their lives willingly for the Law.