34. They stationed sinful, immoral people there, and these soldiers held down their position.
35. They stocked up with weapons and food, collected the spoils of Jerusalem, and stored them there. They were a great menace.
36. They ambushed the sanctuary.They were an evil opponent of Israelat all times.
37. Its inhabitants shed innocent bloodall around the sanctuary,and they even pollutedthe sanctuary itself.
38. Because of them,those who lived in Jerusalem fled.The city becamea dwelling place for strangers.She was like a stranger to her offspring,and her children abandoned her.
39. Her sanctuary was as barren as a desert.Her feasts turned into mourning,her sabbaths into shame,her honor into contempt.
40. Her dishonor became as greatas her glory had been.Her joy turned into sadness.
41. Then King Antiochus sent word throughout his entire kingdom that everyone should act like one people,
42. giving up their local customs. The Gentile nations all readily accepted the king’s command.
43. Many Jews also willingly adopted the king’s religion. They sacrificed to idols and violated the Sabbath.
44. The king sent messengers carrying letters to Jerusalem and the surrounding towns of Judah. He directed Jews to follow customs that had been unknown in the land.
45. He banned the regular practices of entirely burned offerings, sacrifices, and drink offerings in the sanctuary. He banned the observance of sabbaths and feast days.
46. The sanctuary and its priests were to be defiled.
47. They should build new altars, together with sacred precincts and shrines for idols. They should sacrifice pigs and other ritually impure animals.