5. That place has a tower seventy-five feet tall and full of ashes with a steep rim on all sides leading into the ashes.
6. Here anyone guilty of temple robbery or other similar crimes is thrown down to their death.
7. In this manner the lawless Menelaus died. He didn’t receive a proper burial.
8. This was completely just, since he had committed many sins against the altar whose fire and ashes were holy, so in ashes he died.
9. The king became barbaric in his thoughts and intended to show the Jews far worse things than his father did.
10. When Judas learned of these things, he commanded the community to call on the Lord day and night—now if ever—to help those soon to be deprived of the Law, the homeland, and the holy temple.
11. They were to pray that the people who had recently enjoyed temporary relief not be permitted again to come under the control of slanderous nations.
12. After everyone had prayed in the same manner together—pleading with the merciful Lord with weeping and fasting and lying facedown for three days—Judas called them together and commanded them to report for duty.