55. They also burned incense at the doors of houses and in the streets.
56. Any scrolls of the law that they found they tore up and burned.
57. Whoever was found with a scroll of the covenant, and whoever observed the law, was condemned to death by royal decree.
58. So they used their power against Israel, against those who were caught, each month, in the cities.
59. On the twenty-fifth day of each month they sacrificed on the pagan altar that was over the altar of burnt offerings.
60. In keeping with the decree, they put to death women who had their children circumcised,
61. and they hung their babies from their necks; their families also and those who had circumcised them were killed.
62. But many in Israel were determined and resolved in their hearts not to eat anything unclean;
63. they preferred to die rather than to be defiled with food or to profane the holy covenant; and they did die.
64. And very great wrath came upon Israel.