Cleansing and dedication of the temple
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
40
and fell facedown on the ground. When the trumpets sounded a signal, they cried out to heaven.
41
Then Judas chose some soldiers to fight against those stationed in the elevated fortress until he completed cleansing the sanctuary.
42
He selected priests who were blameless and devoted to the Law.
43
They cleansed the sanctuary and took the polluted stones to a ritually unclean place.
44
They discussed what to do about the altar for entirely burned offerings, since it had been polluted.
45
They decided it was best to tear it down so that it wouldn't be a lasting shameful reminder to them that the Gentiles had defiled it. So they tore down the altar.
46
They stored the stones in a convenient place on the temple mount until a prophet should arise who could say what to do with them.
47
They then took unfinished stones, in keeping with the Law, and built a new altar like the former one.
48
They also restored the sanctuary and the temple interior, and dedicated the courtyards.
49
They fashioned new holy equipment and brought the lampstand, the incense altar, and the table into the temple.
50
Then they offered incense on the altar and lit the lamps on the lampstand, which illuminated the temple.
51
They placed bread on the table and hung curtains. Finally, they completed all the work that they had started.
52
They rose early in the morning of the twenty-fifth day of the ninth month, the month of Kislev. It was the year 148.
53
They offered sacrifice, following the Law, on the new altar for entirely burned offerings that they had made.
54
In the very season, on the exact day that the Gentiles had polluted it, it was dedicated with songs, harps, lutes, and cymbals.
55
All the people bowed to the ground and worshipped and blessed heaven, which had given them success.
56
So they celebrated the rededication of the altar for eight days and joyfully made entirely burned offerings. They offered a sacrifice of deliverance and praise.
57
They decorated the front of the temple with gold crowns and small shields. They restored the gates and the priests' chambers, furnishing them with doors.
58
The people were extremely glad, and the disgrace the Gentiles brought was lifted.
59
Then Judas, with his brothers and all the assembly of Israel, laid down a law that every year at that season the dedication of the altar should be observed with joy and happiness for eight days, beginning with the twenty-fifth day of Kislev.
60
At that same time the Israelites built high walls and strong towers all around Mount Zion so that the Gentiles did not come and trample them as they had done previously.
61
Judas stationed an occupying force there as guards. He also built up Beth-zur to protect it so that the people might have a fortress that faced in the direction of Idumea.