11
In those days there went out of Israel wicked men who persuaded many, saying, "Let us go and make a covenant with the heathen who are round about us, for since we departed from them we have had much sorrow."
12
So this device pleased them well.
13
Then certain of the people were so forward herein that they went to the king, who gave them license to do according to the ordinances of the heathen.
14
Thereupon they built a place of exercise at Jerusalem according to the customs of the heathen,
15
and made themselves uncircumcised, and forsook the holy covenant, and joined themselves to the heathen, and were sold to do evil.
16
Now when the kingdom was established under Antiochus, he thought to reign over Egypt, that he might have the dominion over two realms.
17
Therefore he entered into Egypt with a great multitude, with chariots and elephants and horsemen and a great navy,
18
and made war against Ptolemy king of Egypt. But Ptolemy was afraid of him and fled, and many were wounded to death.
19
Thus they got the strong cities in the land of Egypt, and he took the spoils thereof.
20
And after Antiochus had smitten Egypt, he returned again in the hundred forty and third year, and went up against Israel and Jerusalem with a great multitude,
21
and entered proudly into the sanctuary, and took away the golden altar, and the candlestick of light, and all the vessels thereof,