1 Maccabees 9:52-54

Common English Bible

⁵² He also fortified Beth-zur, Gazara, and the elevated fortress. He put soldiers and stores of food in them. ⁵³ He took hostage the sons of the leading citizens and put them under guard in the elevated fortress at Jerusalem.

⁵⁴ In the second month of the year 153,^[a] Alcimus gave orders to tear down the wall of the inner court of the sanctuary—to tear down the work of the prophets. But he only initiated the project.