43
All the Gentiles accepted the command of the king. Many even from Israel gladly adopted his religion; they sacrificed to idols and profaned the sabbath.
44
And the king sent letters by messengers to Jerusalem and the towns of Judah; he directed them to follow customs strange to the land,
45
to forbid burnt offerings and sacrifices and drink offerings in the sanctuary, to profane sabbaths and festivals,
47
to build altars and sacred precincts and shrines for idols, to sacrifice swine and other unclean animals,
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.