5 In that city there is a tower about 22 metres high. It is filled with ashes, and all round the inside of the tower is a platform sloping down into the ashes.
6 People accused of crimes against the gods or of any other serious crime are taken there and thrown down to their death.
7 Menelaus was put to death in that way, without even having the privilege of a burial,
8 and that was just what he deserved. He had often profaned the sacred ashes of the altar fire in the Temple, and now he met his death in ashes.
9 King Antiochus arrogantly continued his barbaric invasion of Judea, intending to deal with the Jews more harshly than his father had ever done.
10 When Judas learnt of this, he told the people to pray to the Lord day and night, because they were in danger of losing their Law, their country, and their holy Temple. As never before, they needed his help and protection
11 to keep their newly restored country from falling into the hands of godless Gentiles.