1 Maccabees 1:29-34

New Catholic Bible

²⁹ Two years later the king sent his chief collector of tribute to the cities of Judah. When he came to Jerusalem with a powerful force, ³⁰ he deceitfully addressed the people there with sentiments of peace. Once he had gained their confidence, he suddenly launched a savage attack on the city and exterminated many of the people of Israel. ³¹ He plundered the city and set it on fire. He demolished its dwellings and the walls that encircled the city, ³² took the women and children captive, and seized the livestock. ³³ Then they rebuilt the City of David with a massive high wall and strong towers, and it became their citadel.^{[a] 34} There they stationed a sinful race of renegades, who fortified themselves inside it,