38 They found the sanctuary desolate, the altar desecrated, the gates burnt, weeds growing in the courts as in a thicket or on some mountain, and the priests’ chambers demolished.
39 Then they tore their garments and made great lamentation; they sprinkled their heads with ashes
40 and prostrated themselves. And when the signal was given with trumpets, they cried out to Heaven.
41 Judas appointed men to attack those in the citadel, while he purified the sanctuary.
42 He chose blameless priests, devoted to the law;
43 these purified the sanctuary and carried away the stones of the defilement to an unclean place.
44 They deliberated what ought to be done with the altar for burnt offerings that had been desecrated.