2 Maccabees 4:12-14

Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition

¹² For with alacrity he founded a gymnasium right under the citadel, and he induced the noblest of the young men^[a] to wear the Greek hat. ¹³ There was such an extreme of Hellenization and increase in the adoption of foreign ways because of the surpassing wickedness of Jason, who was ungodly and no high priest, ¹⁴ that the priests were no longer intent upon their service at the altar. Despising the sanctuary and neglecting the sacrifices, they hastened to take part in the unlawful proceedings in the wrestling arena after the call to the discus,