4 Maccabees 4:9

9 The priests stood in the temple, together with their wives and children, begging God to protect the holy place that was being treated so shamefully.

4 Maccabees 4:9 In-Context

7 The people angrily protested. They thought it would be terrible if the people who had deposited money in trust in the sacred treasury were robbed. They did whatever they could to prevent it.

8 However, Apollonius went on to the temple, making threats.

9 The priests stood in the temple, together with their wives and children, begging God to protect the holy place that was being treated so shamefully.

10 While Apollonius was approaching with armed soldiers to seize the money, angels on horseback appeared from heaven with flashing weapons. Apollonius and his soldiers were shaking with fear.

11 Apollonius fell down half dead in the temple court that was open to people of every nation and lifted his hands up to heaven. With tears, he begged the Hebrews to pray for him and to intervene with the heavenly army.