3 Maccabees 1:10-12

Common English Bible

¹⁰ And as he admired the orderly arrangement of the temple, he conceived a notion to enter into the holy place. ¹¹ But they said that it wasn’t right to do this since even those of their own nation weren’t permitted to enter it. Not even all the priests were allowed, but only the chief priest, who was in charge over all, and he could do so only once a year. But Philopator wasn’t at all persuaded. ¹² Even after the law was read to him, he continued to claim that it was necessary for him to enter, saying, “Even if those persons are denied this honor, I shouldn’t be.”