3 Maccabees 5:24-26

Common English Bible

²⁴ Crowds of people from throughout the city gathered for the most sorry spectacle and were eagerly awaiting the early morning. ²⁵ The Jews were at their last gasp, since time was short. With tearful prayer and mournful sounds, they stretched out their hands to heaven and begged the supreme God to help them again quickly. ²⁶ Before the rays of the sun were scattered across the sky, while the king was receiving his friends, Hermon approached him and invited him to come out, indicating that the king’s desire was ready to be put into action.