1 Maccabees 2:47
King James VersionSource notes
“They pursued also after the proud men, and the work prospered in their hand.”
Context
44So they joined their forces, and smote sinful men in their anger, and wicked men in their wrath: but the rest fled to the heathen for succour.
45Then Mattathias and his friends went round about, and pulled down the altars:
46And what children soever they found within the coast of Israel uncircumcised, those they circumcised valiantly.
47They pursued also after the proud men, and the work prospered in their hand.
48So they recovered the law out of the hand of the Gentiles, and out of the hand of kings, neither suffered they the sinner to triumph.
49Now when the time drew near that Mattathias should die, he said unto his sons, Now hath pride and rebuke gotten strength, and the time of destruction, and the wrath of indignation:
50Now therefore, my sons, be ye zealous for the law, and give your lives for the covenant of your fathers.