1 Maccabees 4:44-49

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

⁴⁴ They deliberated what to do about the altar of burnt offering, which had been profaned.^{(A) 45} And they thought it best to tear it down, so that it would not be a lasting shame to them that the nations had defiled it. So they tore down the altar ⁴⁶ and stored the stones in a convenient place on the temple hill until a prophet should come to tell what to do with them.^{(B) 47} Then they took unhewn^[a] stones, as the law directs, and built a new altar like the former one.^{(C) 48} They also rebuilt the sanctuary and the interior of the temple and consecrated the courts. ⁴⁹ They made new holy vessels and brought the lampstand, the altar of incense, and the table into the temple.^(D)