The Temple of Jerusalem Is Sacked.

Once his kingdom had been firmly established, Antiochus was determined to become king of Egypt so that he might reign over both kingdoms. He invaded Egypt with a massive force of chariots, elephants, and cavalry, supported by a large fleet. When he engaged Ptolemy, the king of Egypt, in battle, Ptolemy fled in fear before him, amidst a great number of casualties. The fortified cities in the land of Egypt were captured, and Antiochus plundered the kingdom.

       After his return from his conquest of Egypt in the year one hundred and forty-three, Antiochus advanced upon Israel and Jerusalem with a massive force. In his arrogance he entered the sanctuary and removed the golden altar, the lampstand for the light with all its fixtures, the table for the loaves of offering, the libation cups and bowls, the golden censers, the curtain, and the crowns. He stripped off all the gold decorations on the front of the temple, and he seized the silver and gold and precious vessels and all the hidden treasures he could find. Taking all this, he returned to his own country, having caused great bloodshed and boasted arrogantly of what he had accomplished.

       There was great mourning throughout Israel,

          and the rulers and the elders groaned.

       Girls and young men wasted away,

          and the beauty of the women waned.

       Every bridegroom raised up laments,

          and the bride sat mourning in her bridal chamber.

       The land trembled for its inhabitants,

          and the entire house of Jacob was clothed in shame.

       Two years later the king sent his chief collector of tribute to the cities of Judah. When he came to Jerusalem with a powerful force, he deceitfully addressed the people there with sentiments of peace. Once he had gained their confidence, he suddenly launched a savage attack on the city and exterminated many of the people of Israel. He plundered the city and set it on fire. He demolished its dwellings and the walls that encircled the city, took the women and children captive, and seized the livestock. Then they rebuilt the City of David with a massive high wall and strong towers, and it became their citadel. There they stationed a sinful race of renegades, who fortified themselves inside it, storing up arms and provisions, and depositing there the plunder they had collected from Jerusalem. Thus they posed a significant threat.

       The citadel became an ambush against the sanctuary,

          an evil adversary for Israel at all times.

       They spilled innocent blood all around the sanctuary,

          and even defiled the sanctuary itself.

       Because of them the inhabitants of Jerusalem fled,

          and the city became a dwelling place of strangers.

       She became estranged from her own offspring,

          and her children abandoned her.

       Her sanctuary became as desolate as a desert;

          her feasts were turned into mourning, her sabbaths into reproach,

          her honor into contempt.

       Her dishonor was equal to her former glory,

          and her exaltation was turned into mourning.

1ST MACCABEES: CHAPTER 1, VERSES 16 - 40