2 Maccabees 3:15-23

New Catholic Bible

¹⁸ People rushed forth from their houses in crowds to make a public supplication because of the profanation that was threatening the holy place. ¹⁹ Women thronged the streets girded with sackcloth under their breasts. Maidens who had been secluded indoors came running, some to the gates, others to the walls, while still others leaned out of windows, ²⁰ all of them raising their hands to heaven in supplication. ²¹ It was a pitiful sight to observe the crowd lying prostrate and the agony of the high priest in his great anguish.

²² A Heavenly Knight Stops Heliodorus. While the people were imploring the Lord Almighty to allow the deposits to remain safe and secure for those who had deposited them in trust, ²³ Heliodorus proceeded with his appointed task.