19. Antiochus was able to capture the fortified cities of Egypt and plunder the whole land.
20. In the year 143, after the conquest of Egypt, Antiochus marched with a great army against the land of Israel and the city of Jerusalem.
21. In his arrogance, he entered the Temple and took away the gold altar, the lampstand with all its equipment,
22. the table for the bread offered to the Lord, the cups and bowls, the gold fire pans, the curtain, and the crowns. He also stripped all the gold from the front of the Temple
23. and carried off the silver and gold and everything else of value, including all the treasures that he could find stored there.
24. Then he took it all to his own country. He also murdered many people and boasted arrogantly about it.
25. There was great mourning everywhere in the land of Israel.
26. Rulers and leaders groaned in sorrow.Young men and young women grew weak.The beauty of our women faded.
27. Every bridegroom sang a funeral song,and every bride sat mourning in her room.
28. All our people were clothed with shame,and our land trembled for them.
29. Two years later Antiochus sent a large army from Mysia against the towns of Judea. When the soldiers entered Jerusalem,
30. their commander spoke to the people, offering them terms of peace, and completely deceiving them. Then he suddenly launched a fierce attack on the city, dealing it a major blow and killing many of the people.
31. He plundered the city, set it on fire, and tore down its buildings and walls.
32. He and his army took the women and children as prisoners and seized the cattle.
33. Then Antiochus and his forces built high walls and strong towers in the area north of the Temple, turning it into a fort.