3 Maccabees 4:20

20 when they said and proved that both the paper and the pens they used for writing had already given out.

3 Maccabees 4:20 In-Context

18 though most of them were still in the country, some still residing in their homes, and some at the place; the task was impossible for all the generals in Egypt.
19 After he had threatened them severely, charging that they had been bribed to contrive a means of escape, he was clearly convinced about the matter
20 when they said and proved that both the paper and the pens they used for writing had already given out.
21 But this was an act of the invincible providence of him who was aiding the Jews from heaven.

Footnotes 1

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.