3 Maccabees 3

1And when the impious man had taken this in, he became so enraged that he was angry not only with those in Alexandria, but also opposed those in the countryside more harshly; and after ordering that they quickly gather all together in one place, he intended to remove them from life by the cruelest fate.

2While these matters were being arranged, a hostile rumor was spread against the nation among people of like mind for mistreatment, a pretext being given for their purpose, as though they were being hindered from their customary laws.

3But the Jews were maintaining unwavering goodwill and loyalty toward the kings;

4But because they worshiped God and lived according to his law, they kept themselves separate in matters of food; for this reason some regarded them as hateful.

5And by adorning their way of life with the good conduct of the righteous, they had become well regarded by all people.

6So then, the foreigners did not at all take into account the beneficence for which the nation was spoken of everywhere;

7But they kept spreading talk about the disagreement over acts of homage and foods, saying that these people would not become of one way with either the king or his forces, but were hostile and strongly opposed to the affairs of state; and they attached to them no ordinary fear.

8But the Greeks in the city, having suffered no wrong, seeing the unexpected turmoil concerning the men and the disorderly gatherings that were taking place, were not strong enough to help; for their disposition urged an appeal, and some also were in an agitated state and supposed that these things would change.

9For so great an organization, lacking no knowledge, must not be overlooked.

10And already some neighbors and friends and business associates, secretly drawing certain people aside, were giving assurances that they would join in protecting them and would offer every earnest effort toward their support.

11So then, puffed up by his present prosperity, and not perceiving the power of the greatest God, but supposing that he would continue forever in the same purpose, he wrote this letter against them:

12King Ptolemy Philopator to the generals and soldiers throughout Egypt and in every place: greetings and good health.

13I myself am well, and so are our affairs.

14concerning our campaign into Asia, which you yourselves also know, which by the unfailing alliance of the gods was brought, as was fitting, to its conclusion,

15We considered that the nations inhabiting Coele-Syria and Phoenicia should be nurtured not by the force of the spear, but with gentleness and great kindness, having gladly done them good.

16And after assigning very great revenues to the temples in the cities, we also went on and, going up to Jerusalem, to honor the temple of those never-winnowed and never-ceasing in their folly.

17But although they accepted our presence in word, in deed they were false, when we eagerly desired to enter into their temple and honor it with the most splendid and finest offerings,

18Carried away by ancient conceit, they barred us from entry, falling short of our strength, by which we have goodwill toward all people.

19And by making their hostility toward us plain, they, alone among the nations, act arrogantly toward kings and toward their own benefactors, and are willing to offer nothing sincere.

20But we, having borne with their folly, and having been carried through with victory, and having met all the nations in Egypt with humanity, did what was fitting.

21And in these matters, after making known to all their own countrymen our lack of resentment, and because of the alliance and the countless affairs entrusted to them from the beginning with sincerity, we decided to transform their status and deem them worthy of Alexandrian citizenship, and to appoint them as sharers in the things of the sanctuary.

22But those who expected the opposite, and in their inborn malice pushed away what is good, continually turning aside to what is base,

23Not only have they rejected the honorable civic order, but they also detest, both in speech and in silence, the few among them who are genuinely well-disposed toward us, and at every opportunity, driven by the most impious pretext, they rush to bring our affairs to ruin.

24Therefore, being well convinced by proofs that these people are in every way ill-disposed toward us, and taking thought lest, if some sudden disturbance should later arise, we should have these ungodly people at our back as traitors and barbarian enemies,

25We have ordered that, as soon as this letter arrives, those enrolled, together with their wives and children, be sent to us at once in iron bonds, shut in on every side, with abuse and plundering, for an incurable and disgraceful pit fit for enemies.

26For if these men are punished all together, we will leave for the time that remains with complete confidence that our affairs will be established in stability and in the best condition.

27But whoever shelters any of the Jews, from old man to infant, even to those at the breast, will be beaten to death with the most hateful tortures, together with his whole household.

28And whoever wishes to inform against them will, for this, receive the property of the one who falls under the penalty, and two thousand drachmas from the royal treasury, and will be crowned with freedom.

29But every place where a Jew is discovered while being concealed shall become inaccessible and burned with fire, and it shall appear altogether useless to every mortal creature for all time.

30And the form of the letter had been written as follows.