27. Every bridegroom was saddened,and intended brides satmourning in their chambers.
28. Even the land shook for its people,and all of Jacob’s housewas clothed with shame.
29. Two years later, to collect tribute from the Judean cities, King Antiochus sent his chief officer, who came to Jerusalem with a large army.
30. The agent spoke peaceably and the Jews believed him, but he was deceitful. Without warning, he attacked the city, dealt it a brutal blow, and killed many Israelites.
31. He plundered the city. He set fires within it, destroyed its houses, and tore down its protective walls.
32. His forces took women and children as prisoners and seized livestock.
33. After all of this, the agent’s forces fortified David’s City with a very strong wall and powerful towers, and it became their fortress.
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.