12
The king then, admitting and approving the truth of what they said, granted them a general license so that freely and without royal authority or supervision they might destroy those everywhere in his kingdom who had transgressed the law of God.
13
When they had applauded him in fitting manner, their priests and the whole multitude shouted the Hallelujah and joyfully departed.
14
And so on their way they punished and put to a public and shameful death any whom they met of their fellow-countrymen who had become defiled.
15
In that day they put to death more than three hundred men; and they kept the day as a joyful festival, since they had destroyed the profaners.
16
But those who had held fast to God even to death and had received the full enjoyment of deliverance began their departure from the city, crowned with all sorts of very fragrant flowers, joyfully and loudly giving thanks to the one God of their fathers, the eternal Savior of Israel, in words of praise and all kinds of melodious songs.
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.