3 Maccabees 5:19-21

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

¹⁹ But when he, with the corroboration of the king’s^[a] Friends, pointed out that while it was still night he had carried out completely the order given him, ²⁰ the king,^[b] possessed by a savagery worse than that of Phalaris, said that the Jews^[c] were benefited by today’s sleep, “but,” he added, “tomorrow without delay prepare the elephants in the same way for the destruction of the lawless Jews!”^{(A) 21} When the king had spoken, all those present readily and joyfully with one accord gave their approval, and all went to their own homes.