3 Maccabees 2:29-31

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

²⁹ those who are registered are also to be branded on their bodies by fire with the ivy-leaf symbol of Dionysus, and they shall also be reduced to their former limited status.”^{(A) 30} In order that he might not appear to be an enemy of all, he inscribed below: “But if any of them prefer to join those who have been initiated into the mysteries, they shall have equal citizenship with the Alexandrians.”^(B)

³¹ Now some, with an obvious abhorrence of the price to be exacted for maintaining the piety of their city,^[a] readily gave themselves up, since they expected to enhance their reputation by their future association with the king.^(C)