Chapter 1 _{24 And when he had taken all away, he went into his own land, having made a great massacre, and spoken very proudly.25 Therefore there was a great mourning in Israel, in every place where they were;26 So that the princes and elders mourned, the virgins and young men were made feeble, and the beauty of women was changed.27 Every bridegroom took up lamentation, and she that sat in the marriage chamber was in heaviness,28 The land also was moved for the inhabitants thereof, and all the house of Jacob was covered with confusion.29 And after two years fully expired the king sent his chief collector of tribute unto the cities of Juda, who came unto Jerusalem with a great multitude,30 And spake peaceable words unto them, but all was deceit: for when they had given him credence, he fell suddenly upon the city, and smote it very sore, and destroyed much people of Israel.31 And when he had taken the spoils of the city, he set it on fire, and pulled down the houses and walls thereof on every side.32 But the women and children took they captive, and possessed the cattle.33 Then builded they the city of David with a great and strong wall, and with mighty towers, and made it a strong hold for them.34 And they put therein a sinful nation, wicked men, and fortified themselves therein.35 They stored it also with armour and victuals, and when they had gathered together the spoils of Jerusalem, they laid them up there, and so they became a sore snare:36 For it was a place to lie in wait against the sanctuary, and an evil adversary to Israel.37 Thus they shed innocent blood on every side of the sanctuary, and defiled it:38 Insomuch that the inhabitants of Jerusalem fled because of them: whereupon the city was made an habitation of strangers, and became strange to those that were born in her; and her own children left her.39 Her sanctuary was laid waste like a wilderness, her feasts were turned into mourning, her sabbaths into reproach her honour into contempt.40 As had been her glory, so was her dishonour increased, and her excellency was turned into mourning.41 Moreover king Antiochus wrote to his whole kingdom, that all should be one people,42 And every one should leave his laws: so all the heathen agreed according to the commandment of the king.}