1 Maccabees 1:44

44 And the king sent letters by messengers to Jerusalem and the cities of Judah; he directed them to follow customs strange to the land,

1 Maccabees 1:44 In-Context

42 and that each should give up his customs.

43 All the Gentiles accepted the command of the king. Many even from Israel gladly adopted his religion; they sacrificed to idols and profaned the sabbath.

44 And the king sent letters by messengers to Jerusalem and the cities of Judah; he directed them to follow customs strange to the land,

45 to forbid burnt offerings and sacrifices and drink offerings in the sanctuary, to profane sabbaths and feasts,

46 to defile the sanctuary and the priests,