24 Taking it all, he went back to his own land. He committed murder and spoke very arrogantly.
25 Every community in Israelgrieved deeply.
26 Rulers and elders groaned;young women and men became faint.The women’s beauty faded.
27 Every bridegroom was saddened,and intended brides satmourning in their chambers.
28 Even the land shook for its people,and all of Jacob’s housewas clothed with shame.
29 Two years later, to collect tribute from the Judean cities, King Antiochus sent his chief officer, who came to Jerusalem with a large army.
30 The agent spoke peaceably and the Jews believed him, but he was deceitful. Without warning, he attacked the city, dealt it a brutal blow, and killed many Israelites.