3 Maccabees 3:14-16

Revised Standard Version

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. ¹⁶ And when we had granted very great revenues to the temples in the cities, we came on to Jerusalem also, and went up to honor the temple of those wicked people, who never cease from their folly.