1 Maccabees 1:33-48
-
33 Then builded they the city of David with a great and strong wall, and with mighty towers, and made it a strong hold for them.
-
34 And they put therein a sinful nation, wicked men, and fortified themselves therein.
-
35 They stored it also with armour and victuals, and when they had gathered together the spoils of Jerusalem, they laid them up there, and so they became a sore snare:
-
36 For it was a place to lie in wait against the sanctuary, and an evil adversary to Israel.
-
37 Thus they shed innocent blood on every side of the sanctuary, and defiled it:
-
38 Insomuch that the inhabitants of Jerusalem fled because of them: whereupon the city was made an habitation of strangers, and became strange to those that were born in her; and her own children left her.
-
39 Her sanctuary was laid waste like a wilderness, her feasts were turned into mourning, her sabbaths into reproach her honour into contempt.
-
40 As had been her glory, so was her dishonour increased, and her excellency was turned into mourning.
-
41 Moreover king Antiochus wrote to his whole kingdom, that all should be one people,
-
42 And every one should leave his laws: so all the heathen agreed according to the commandment of the king.
-
43 Yea, many also of the Israelites consented to his religion, and sacrificed unto idols, and profaned the sabbath.
-
44 For the king had sent letters by messengers unto Jerusalem and the cities of Juda that they should follow the strange laws of the land,
-
45 And forbid burnt offerings, and sacrifice, and drink offerings, in the temple; and that they should profane the sabbaths and festival days:
-
46 And pollute the sanctuary and holy people:
-
47 Set up altars, and groves, and chapels of idols, and sacrifice swine's flesh, and unclean beasts:
-
48 That they should also leave their children uncircumcised, and make their souls abominable with all manner of uncleanness and profanation: