33. After these events, Nicanor went up to Mount Zion. Some priests from the sanctuary and some of the elders of the people came out to greet him peacefully. They pointed out to him the entirely burned offering that was being offered on behalf of the king.
34. But he mocked, ridiculed, and defiled them, and spoke in an arrogant way.
35. Angrily, he swore, "Unless Judas and his army are handed over to me this time, I will burn down this house if I return safely in the future." And he departed in great fury.
36. Then the priests went inside and stood before the altar and the temple. They wept out loud and said:
37. You, heavenly one, chose this houseto be called by your nameand to be a house of prayerand petition for your people.
38. Take vengeance on this manand on his army!Make them die by the sword.Remember their evil slander.Don’t let them live any longer.
39. Now Nicanor, along with the Syrian army, left Jerusalem and camped in Beth-horon.
40. Judas camped in Adasa with three thousand men. Then Judas prayed: