3 Maccabees 3:20-22

Common English Bible

²⁰ But we showed indulgence toward the folly of these people and returned to Egypt in triumph. We treated all the nations in a kindly way and acted in a manner that was proper. ²¹ Among other things, we made known to everyone our policy of amnesty toward their fellow Jews here because of our alliance with them and the countless matters sincerely entrusted to them from the beginning. We bravely decided to make a change, to consider them worthy of Alexandrian citizenship and to make them partners in the regular religious rites.^{[a] 22} But they received it in a disagreeable manner and rejected what is good in line with their natural, spiteful character. Turning continually to what is worthless,