1 Maccabees 1:40-51
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40 As had been her glory, so was her dishonour increased, and her excellency was turned into mourning.
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41 Moreover king Antiochus wrote to his whole kingdom, that all should be one people,
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42 And every one should leave his laws: so all the heathen agreed according to the commandment of the king.
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43 Yea, many also of the Israelites consented to his religion, and sacrificed unto idols, and profaned the sabbath.
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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,
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45 And forbid burnt offerings, and sacrifice, and drink offerings, in the temple; and that they should profane the sabbaths and festival days:
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46 And pollute the sanctuary and holy people:
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47 Set up altars, and groves, and chapels of idols, and sacrifice swine's flesh, and unclean beasts:
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48 That they should also leave their children uncircumcised, and make their souls abominable with all manner of uncleanness and profanation:
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49 To the end they might forget the law, and change all the ordinances.
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50 And whosoever would not do according to the commandment of the king, he said, he should die.
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51 In the selfsame manner wrote he to his whole kingdom, and appointed overseers over all the people, commanding the cities of Juda to sacrifice, city by city.