33 Sometime later, Nicanor went up to Mount Zion, where he was met by some priests and leaders outside the temple. They welcomed him peacefully and showed him how they offered sacrifices as a way of asking God to bless King Demetrius.
34 Nicanor laughed and made fun of the priests and leaders. He even spit on them and made them unfit to serve God. He was so arrogant
35 and angry that he said, “If Judas and his soldiers aren't handed over to me immediately, I'll return here and destroy your temple just as soon as I defeat him.” Nicanor was furious when he left.
36 The priests returned to the temple courtyard, where they stared at the temple and the altar. Then with tears in their eyes, they prayed:
37 “You have chosen this templeas the place where your peoplemust worship in your name.
38 Defeat Nicanor and his army!Destroy them in battle.Don't ever forgethow they insulted you,and don't let them live!”
39 Nicanor led his troops out of Jerusalem, and they camped near the town of Beth-Horon, where they were joined by a force of Syrian soldiers.