The efforts of these evangelists and teachers to turn the people from their iniquitous ways did not result in the peace of righteous living to the strife-torn populace, but incited anger and resentment from the chief judges and apostate high priests against whom they had testified. While some scattered few were convinced of their evil practices and sought to make amends, the majority of the people became more bitter and malignant. Many lawyers, always ready for unrest, stirred them up to hatred and angry passions, even that some of the preachers of righteousness who came among them were put to death.