3 Maccabees 5:39

39 But the king's officials, who were reclining at the table with him, were taken aback by his unstable mind and began to protest as follows:

3 Maccabees 5:39 In-Context

37 He summoned Hermon and said with a threat, "How often, you sorry creature, must I command you concerning these same matters?

38 Equip the elephants yet again for the destruction of the Jews tomorrow."

39 But the king's officials, who were reclining at the table with him, were taken aback by his unstable mind and began to protest as follows:

40 "Your Majesty, how long will you test us, as though we were fools, giving an order a third time to destroy the Jews and again reversing your decisions?

41 As a result, the city is in an uproar because of its expectation. It is already swarming with mobs and is very much at risk of being plundered."