32
And when they swore unto him, that they knew not where the man was whom he sought, he stretched out his hand to the temple,
33
And swore, saying: Unless you de- liver Judas prisoner to me, I will lay this temple of God even with the ground, and will beat down the altar, and I will dedicate this temple to Bacchus.
34
And when he had spoken thus he departed. But the priests stretching forth their hands to heaven, called upon him that was ever the defender of their nation, saying in this manner:
35
Thou, O Lord of all things, who wantest nothing, wast pleased that the temple of thy habitation should be amongst us.
36
Therefore now, 0 Lord the holy of all holies, keep this house for ever undefiled which was lately cleansed.
37
Now Razias, one of the ancients of Jerusalem, was accused to Nicanor, a man that was a lover of the city, and of good report, who for his affection was called the father of the Jews.
38
This man, for a long time, had held fast his purpose of keeping himself pure in the Jews' religion, and was ready to expose his body and life, that he might persevere therein.
39
So Nicanor being willing to declare the hatred that he bore the Jews, sent five hundred soldiers to take him.
40
For he thought by insnaring him to hurt the Jews very much.
41
Now as the multitude sought to rush into his house, and to break open the door, and to set fire to it, when he was ready to be taken, he struck himself with his sword:
42
Choosing to die nobly rather than to fall into the hands of the wicked, and to suffer abuses unbecoming his noble birth.