17
Antiochus was really pleased with himself, not realizing the Lord had become angry for a short time because of the sins of those who lived in the city. For this reason, he had shut his eyes to the holy temple.
18
If they hadn't previously been involved in so many sins, Antiochus would have been forced to abandon his rashness and been defeated at once when he attacked, just like Heliodorus (the one King Seleucus sent to inspect the treasury).
19
But the Lord didn't choose the nation because of the place, but the place because of the nation.
20
So the temple also shared the misfortunes of the nation, but afterward it also shared in its good fortunes. That which the almighty abandoned in his wrath would again be restored with all glory when the nation was reconciled to the great Lord.
21
Antiochus carried away eighteen hundred talents from the temple and hurried back to Antioch, imagining in his pride and arrogance that it was possible to sail across the land and march across the sea.