3 Maccabees 2:16-18

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

¹⁶ But because you were pleased that your glory should dwell among your people Israel, you sanctified this place.^{(A) 17} Do not punish us for the defilement committed by these men or call us to account for this profanation; otherwise the transgressors will boast in their wrath and exult in the arrogance of their tongue, saying, ¹⁸ ‘We have trampled down the house of holiness as the houses of the abominations are trampled down.’^(B)