3 Maccabees 1:22-24

Common English Bible

²² Some of the bolder citizens weren’t going to put up with his intended plan or fulfill what he had in mind. ²³ They rallied each other to attack with weapons and to die courageously for the sake of the law of their ancestors, creating a great uproar in the holy place. The old men and the elders were barely able to restrain them, but turned them at last to the same stance of prayer.

²⁴ Now the crowd in front of the temple was occupied in praying,