Persecution of the Jews

²⁰ After subduing Egypt, Antiochus turned back in the one hundred forty-third year and went up against Israel and came to Jerusalem with a strong force.^{(A) 21} He arrogantly entered the sanctuary and took the golden altar, the lampstand for the light, and all its utensils.^{(B) 22} He took also the table for the bread of the Presence, the cups for drink offerings, the bowls, the golden censers, the curtain, the crowns, and the gold decoration on the front of the temple; he stripped it all off.^{(C) 23} He took the silver and the gold and the costly vessels; he took also the hidden treasures that he found.^(D)

¹² And he said^[a] that it was utterly impossible that wrong should be done to those people who had trusted in the holiness of the place and in the sanctity and inviolability of the temple that is honored throughout the whole world.^(A)

¹⁴ In our downfall this audacious and profane man undertakes to violate the holy place on earth dedicated to your glorious name.^(A)