The King James Version Bible

1 Maccabees 1:49-57

  1. To the end they might forget the law, and change all the ordinances.

  2. And whosoever would not do according to the commandment of the king, he said, he should die.

  3. 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.

  4. Then many of the people were gathered unto them, to wit every one that forsook the law; and so they committed evils in the land;

  5. And drove the Israelites into secret places, even wheresoever they could flee for succour.

  6. Now the fifteenth day of the month Casleu, in the hundred forty and fifth year, they set up the abomination of desolation upon the altar, and builded idol altars throughout the cities of Juda on every side;

  7. And burnt incense at the doors of their houses, and in the streets.

  8. And when they had rent in pieces the books of the law which they found, they burnt them with fire.

  9. And whosoever was found with any the book of the testament, or if any committed to the law, the king's commandment was, that they should put him to death.