3 Maccabees 1:23

23 They rallied each other to attack with weapons and to die courageously for the sake of the law of their ancestors, creating a great uproar in the holy place. The old men and the elders were barely able to restrain them, but turned them at last to the same stance of prayer.

3 Maccabees 1:23 In-Context

21 The people who assembled offered all kinds of prayers on account of the evil plot of the king.

22 Some of the bolder citizens weren't going to put up with his intended plan or fulfill what he had in mind.

23 They rallied each other to attack with weapons and to die courageously for the sake of the law of their ancestors, creating a great uproar in the holy place. The old men and the elders were barely able to restrain them, but turned them at last to the same stance of prayer.

24 Now the crowd in front of the temple was occupied in praying,

25 but the elders standing near the king tried in many ways to turn his arrogant mind from the scheme that he had conceived.