1 Maccabees 4:43-45

Common English Bible

⁴³ They cleansed the sanctuary and took the polluted stones to a ritually unclean place. ⁴⁴ They discussed what to do about the altar for entirely burned offerings, since it had been polluted. ⁴⁵ They decided it was best to tear it down so that it wouldn’t be a lasting shameful reminder to them that the Gentiles had defiled it. So they tore down the altar.