2 Maccabees 15:1-3

New Catholic Bible

Chapter 15

Nicanor’s Blasphemy. ¹ When Nicanor was informed that Judas and his troops were in the region of Samaria, he made plans to attack them on their day of rest when there would be no risk.^{[a] 2} Those Jews who had been forced to accompany him pleaded: “Do not massacre them in so savage and barbaric a fashion. Show respect for the day that the All-seeing has exalted and sanctified above all other days.” ³ At this, the thrice-accursed wretch asked if there was a sovereign in heaven who had commanded the observance of the Sabbath day.