8 The Yehudim (Jews) sent some of their council and of their elders to him. The greetings, welcoming gifts, and congratulations of the past, given by them, filled him with the greater eagerness to visit their city. 9 Having arrived at Yerushalem (Jerusalem), sacrificed, and offered thank offerings to the Greatest God, and done whatever else was suitable to the sanctity of the place, and entered the inner courtyard, 10 he was so impressed with the magnificence of the place, and so wondered at the orderly arrangements of the temple, that he considered entering the sanctuary itself. 11 When they told him that this wasn’t permissible, none of the nation, not even the priests in general, but only the supreme high priest of all, and he only once in a year, was allowed to go in, he’d by no means give way. 12 Then they read the law to him, but he persisted in intruding, exclaiming that he ought to be allowed. He said, “Even if they were deprived of this honour, I shouldn’t be.” 13 He asked why, when he entered all the other temples, did none of the priests who were present forbid him. 14 He was thoroughly answered by someone, that he did wrong to boast of this. 15 “Well, since I’ve done this,” he said, “be the cause what it may, won’t I enter with or without your consent?”

16 When the priests fell down in their sacred vestments imploring the Greatest God to come and help in time of need, and to avert the violence of the fierce aggressor, and when they filled the temple with lamentations and tears, 17 then those who’d been left behind in the city were scared, and rushed out, uncertain of the event. 18 Virgins, who’d been shut up within their chambers, came out with their mothers, scattering dust and ashes on their heads, and filling the streets with outcries. 19 Women who’d recently been arrayed for marriage left their bridal chambers, left the reserve that befitted them, and ran around the city in a disorderly manner. 20 New-born babes were deserted by the mothers or nurses who waited on them—some here, some there, in houses, or in fields; these now, with an ardour which couldn’t be checked, swarmed into the Most High temple. 21 Various prayers were offered up by those who assembled in this place because of the unholy attempt of the king. 22 Along with these there were some of the citizens who took courage and wouldn’t submit to his obstinacy and his intention of carrying out his purpose. 23 Calling out to arms, and to die bravely in defence of the law of their fathers, they created a great uproar in the place, and were with difficulty brought back by the aged and the elders to the station of prayer which they’d occupied before. 24 During this time, the multitude kept on praying. 25 The elders who surrounded the king tried in many ways to divert his arrogant mind from the design which he’d formed. 26 He, in his hardened mood, insensible to all persuasion, was going onward with the view of carrying out this design. 27 Yet even his own officers, when they saw this, joined the Yehudim (Jews) in an appeal to Him who has all power to aid in the present crisis, and not wink at such haughty lawlessness. 28 Such was the frequency and the vehemence of the cry of the assembled crowd, that an indescribable noise ensued. 29 Not the men only, but the very walls and floor seemed to sound out, all things preferring death rather than to see the place defiled.