30 But Maccabeus, seeing that Nicanor acted more formally with him, and that, when they met together as usual, he exhibited insolence, understood this austerity not to be from goodness. So, gathering together a few men, he hid himself from Nicanor.
31 But when he realized that he was effectively prevented by the man, he went to the greatest and holiest temple, and he ordered the priests, offering the usual sacrifices, to deliver the man to him.
32 When these spoke oaths to him that they did not know where he who was being sought was, he extended his hand toward the temple,
33 and he swore, saying: 'Unless you deliver Judas to me in chains, I will reduce this shrine of God to the ground, and I will dig up the altar, and I will consecrate this temple to Liber the father.'
34 And having said this, he departed. But the priests, extending their hands toward heaven, called upon him who had always fought for his people, saying this:
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