1 Maccabees 1:54–64

⁵⁴Now the fifteenth day of the month ^dCasleu, in the hundred forty and fifth year, they set up ^dthe abomination of desolation upon the altar, and ^ebuilded idol altars throughout the cities of Juda on every side; ⁵⁵and burnt incense at the doors of their houses, and in the streets. ⁵⁶And when they had rent in pieces the books of the law which they found, they burnt them with fire. ⁵⁷And wheresoever was found with any the book of the testament, or if any ^fconsented to the law, the king’s commandment was, that they should put him to death. ⁵⁸Thus did they by their authority unto the Israelites every month, to as many as were found in the cities. ⁵⁹Now ^gthe five and twentieth day of the month they did sacrifice upon the idol altar, ^gwhich was upon the altar of God. ⁶⁰At which time, according to the commandment, ^hthey put to death certain women, that had caused their children to be circumcised. ⁶¹And ^hthey hanged the infants about their necks, and rifled their houses, and slew them that had circumcised them. ⁶²Howbeit many in Israel were fully resolved and confirmed in themselves not to eat any ⁱunclean thing. ⁶³Wherefore ^kthey chose rather to die, ^kthat they might not be defiled with meats, and that they might not profane the holy covenant: so then they died. ⁶⁴And there was very great wrath upon Israel.

II.