3 Maccabees 3:13-15

Revised Standard Version

¹³ I myself and our government are faring well. ¹⁴ When our expedition took place in Asia, as you yourselves know, it was brought to conclusion, according to plan, by the gods’ deliberate alliance with us in battle, ¹⁵ and we considered that we should not rule the nations inhabiting Coele-Syria and Phoenic′ia by the power of the spear but should cherish them with clemency and great benevolence, gladly treating them well.