54
Now on the fifteenth day of Chislev, in the one hundred forty-fifth year, they erected a desolating sacrilege on the altar of burnt offering. They also built altars in the surrounding towns of Judah,
55
and offered incense at the doors of the houses and in the streets.
56
The books of the law that they found they tore to pieces and burned with fire.
57
Anyone found possessing the book of the covenant, or anyone who adhered to the law, was condemned to death by decree of the king.
58
They kept using violence against Israel, against those who were found month after month in the towns.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.