2 Maccabees 5:15-17

Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition

Pillage of the Temple

¹⁵ Not content with this, Anti′ochus^[a] dared to enter the most holy temple in all the world, guided by Menela′us, who had become a traitor both to the laws and to his country. ¹⁶ He took the holy vessels with his polluted hands, and swept away with profane hands the votive offerings which other kings had made to enhance the glory and honor of the place. ¹⁷ Anti′ochus was elated in spirit, and did not perceive that the Lord was angered for a little while because of the sins of those who dwelt in the city, and that therefore he was disregarding the holy place.