3 Maccabees 7:1-3

Revised Standard Version

Ptolemy’s Letter on Behalf of the Jews

7 “King Ptol′emy Philopator to the generals in Egypt and all in authority in his government, greetings and good health. ² We ourselves and our children are faring well, the great God guiding our affairs according to our desire. ³ Certain of our friends, frequently urging us with malicious intent, persuaded us to gather together the Jews of the kingdom in a body and to punish them with barbarous penalties as traitors;