55. Pagan sacrifices were offered in front of houses and in the streets.
56. Any books of the Law which were found were torn up and burnt,
57. and anyone who was caught with a copy of the sacred books or who obeyed the Law was put to death by order of the king.
58. Month after month these wicked people used their power against the Israelites caught in the towns.
59. On the 25th of the month, these same evil people offered sacrifices on the pagan altar erected on top of the altar in the Temple.
60. Mothers who had allowed their babies to be circumcised were put to death in accordance with the king's decree.
61. Their babies were hung round their necks, and their families and those who had circumcised them were put to death.
62. But many people in Israel firmly resisted the king's decree and refused to eat food that was ritually unclean.
63. They preferred to die rather than break the holy covenant and eat unclean food — and many did die.
64. In his anger God made Israel suffer terribly.