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:
41. When the messengersfrom the king of the Assyriansinsulted us with words,your angel went out and struck downone hundred eighty-five thousand.
42. So crush this army before us today.Let the rest learnthat he has spoken againstyour sanctuary in an evil way,and judge him for this wickedness.