32
About 500 of Nicanor's men were killed, and the rest of the army escaped to the fort in Jerusalem.
33
Some time later Nicanor went to Mount Zion. Some of the priests left the Temple and, along with some of the leaders of the people, went to welcome him with words of peace and to show him the burnt offering that was being sacrificed on behalf of the king.
34
But he ridiculed them and made them ceremonially unclean by spitting on them. He spoke proudly
35
and angrily threatened them with an oath, "Unless Judas and his army are surrendered to me immediately, I will burn this Temple down as soon as I return after my victory." And he left in a rage.
36
The priests went into the courtyard and stood facing the altar and the Temple. They started weeping and prayed,
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.