1 Maccabees 2:50
King James VersionSource notes
“Now therefore, my sons, be ye zealous for the law, and give your lives for the covenant of your fathers.”
Context
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.
51Call to remembrance what acts our fathers did in their time; so shall ye receive great honour and an everlasting name.
52Was not Abraham found faithful in temptation, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness?
53Joseph in the time of his distress kept the commandment and was made lord of Egypt.