2 Maccabees 3:18-20

Common English Bible

¹⁸ People burst from their houses in crowds to plead for help because the temple^[a] was about to be dishonored. ¹⁹ With mourning clothes wrapped beneath their breasts, women filled the streets. The virgins, who usually remained indoors, ran together to the gates and some to the walls, while others peeped through their windows. ²⁰ But all raised up their hands to heaven and pleaded for help.