35
Lysias saw his troops being defeated and took note of the boldness that inspired Judas' troops—how ready they were to live or die bravely. So he withdrew to Antioch and enlisted mercenaries so that he could invade Judea again with an even bigger army.
36
At that time Judas and his brothers said, "Look, our enemies have been crushed. Let's go up to cleanse and rededicate the sanctuary."
37
All the army gathered together and went up to Mount Zion.
38
They found the sanctuary deserted, the altar treated with disrespect, and the gates burned. In the courts, bushes had sprung up like in an open field or on one of the mountains. They saw that the priests' chambers were in ruins as well.
39
So they tore their clothes and mourned with great sorrow. They sprinkled their heads with ashes