56
The books of the law which they found they tore to pieces and burned with fire.
57
Where the book of the covenant was found in the possession of any one, or if any one adhered to the law, the decree of the king condemned him to death.
58
They kept using violence against Israel, against those found month after month in the cities.
59
And on the twenty-fifth day of the month they offered sacrifice on the altar which was upon the altar of burnt offering.
60
According to the decree, they put to death the women who had their children circumcised,
61
and their families and those who circumcised them; and they hung the infants from their mothers' necks.
62
But many in Israel stood firm and were resolved in their hearts not to eat unclean food.
63
They chose to die rather than to be defiled by food or to profane the holy covenant; and they did die.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the 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.