3 Maccabees 4:1-10

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

The Jews Deported to Alexandria

4 In every place, then, where this decree arrived, a feast at public expense was arranged for the nations with shouts and gladness, for the inveterate enmity that had long ago been in their minds was now made evident and outspoken.^{(A) 2} But among the Jews there was indescribable mourning, lamentation, and tearful cries and groans; everywhere their hearts were burning, and they groaned because of the unexpected destruction that had suddenly been decreed for them.^{(B) 3} What district or city, or what habitable place at all, or what streets were not filled with mourning and wailing for them? ⁴ For with such a harsh and ruthless spirit were they being sent off, all together, by the generals in every city that at the sight of their unusual punishments even some of their enemies, perceiving the common object of pity before their eyes, reflected on the uncertainty of life and shed tears at the most miserable expulsion of these people. ⁵ For a multitude of gray-headed old men, sluggish and bent with age, was being led away, forced to march at a swift pace by the violence with which they were driven in such a shameful manner. ⁶ And young women who had just entered the bridal chamber^[a] to share married life exchanged joy for wailing, their myrrh-perfumed hair sprinkled with ashes, and were carried away unveiled, all together raising a lament instead of a wedding song, as they were torn by the harsh treatment of foreign nations.^{(C) 7} In bonds and in public view they were violently dragged along as far as the place of embarkation. ⁸ Their husbands, in the prime of youth, their necks encircled with ropes instead of garlands, spent the remaining days of their marriage festival in lamentations instead of feasting and youthful revelry, seeing Hades already lying at their feet.^{(D) 9} They were brought on board like wild animals, driven under the constraint of iron bonds; some were fastened by the neck to the benches of the boats; others had their feet secured by unbreakable fetters, ¹⁰ and in addition they were confined under a solid deck, so that, with their eyes in total darkness, they would undergo treatment befitting traitors during the whole voyage.