3 Maccabees 3:15-17

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

¹⁵ and we considered that we should not rule the nations inhabiting Coelesyria and Phoenicia by the power of the spear but should cherish them with clemency and great benevolence, gladly treating them well. ¹⁶ And when we had granted very great revenues to the temples in the cities, we came on to Jerusalem also and went up to honor the temple of those wicked people, who never cease from their folly.^{(A) 17} They accepted our presence by word but insincerely by deed, because when we proposed to enter their inner temple and honor it with magnificent and most beautiful offerings,^(B)