1 Maccabees 4:54–60

⁵⁴Look, at what time and ^awhat day the heathen had profaned it, even in that was it dedicated with songs, and citherns, and ^eharps, and ^fcymbals. ⁵⁵Then all the people fell upon their faces, worshipping and praising ^gthe God of heaven, who had given them good success. ⁵⁶and so they kept the dedication of the altar ^height days, and offered burnt offerings with gladness, and sacrificed the sacrifice of deliverance and ⁱpraise. ⁵⁷They deckt also the forefront of the temple with crowns of gold, and with shields; and ^jthe gates and ^jthe chambers they renewed, and hanged doors upon them. ⁵⁸Thus was there very great gladness among the people, for that the reproach of the heathen was put away. ⁵⁹Moreover Judas and his brethren with the whole congregation of Israel ordained, that the days of ^kthe dedication of the altar should be kept in their season from year to year by the space of eight days, ^lfrom the five and twentieth day of the month ^bCasleu, with mirth and gladness.

⁶⁰At that time also they builded up the mount Sion ^mwith high walls and strong towers round about, lest the Gentiles should come and tread it down, ⁿas they had done before.