3 Maccabees 2:12-14

Common English Bible

¹² Whenever our ancestors were hard-pressed or humiliated, you helped them and rescued them from great hardships. ¹³ See now, Holy King, how we are being afflicted and have been subjected to our enemies and are weakened to the point of helplessness because of our many and great sins. ¹⁴ But in the midst of our calamity this arrogant and unholy man is determined to insult the holy place dedicated on earth to your glorious name.