51
In all of these he placed troops to harass the Jews.
52
He also strengthened the fortifications of the towns of Bethzur and Gezer and of the fort in Jerusalem. He placed army units in them and stored up supplies there.
53
Then he took the sons of the leading men of the country as hostages and imprisoned them in the fort.
54
In the second month of the year 153, the High Priest Alcimus ordered that the wall of the inner court of the Temple be torn down. This would have destroyed what the prophets had accomplished; but just as the work began,
55
he had a stroke, and work was stopped. Paralyzed and unable to open his mouth, he could not speak or even make a will for his family.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.