3 Maccabees 1:9-11

Common English Bible

⁹ So he traveled to Jerusalem, sacrificed to the supreme God, made thank offerings, and did what was appropriate for the temple. As he entered the temple, he was struck with amazement at its brilliance and beauty. ¹⁰ And as he admired the orderly arrangement of the temple, he conceived a notion to enter into the holy place. ¹¹ But they said that it wasn’t right to do this since even those of their own nation weren’t permitted to enter it. Not even all the priests were allowed, but only the chief priest, who was in charge over all, and he could do so only once a year. But Philopator wasn’t at all persuaded.