3 Maccabees 6:17-27

17 And when the Jews observed this they raised great cries to heaven so that even the nearby valleys resounded with them and brought an uncontrollable terror upon the army.
18 Then the most glorious, almighty, and true God revealed his holy face and opened the heavenly gates, from which two glorious angels of fearful aspect descended, visible to all but the Jews.
19 They opposed the forces of the enemy and filled them with confusion and terror, binding them with immovable shackles.
20 Even the king began to shudder bodily, and he forgot his sullen insolence.
21 The animals turned back upon the armed forces following them and began trampling and destroying them.
22 Then the king's anger was turned to pity and tears because of the things that he had devised beforehand.
23 For when he heard the shouting and saw them all fallen headlong to destruction, he wept and angrily threatened his Friends, saying,
24 "You are committing treason and surpassing tyrants in cruelty; and even me, your benefactor, you are now attempting to deprive of dominion and life by secretly devising acts of no advantage to the kingdom.
25 Who has driven from their homes those who faithfully kept our country's fortresses, and foolishly gathered every one of them here?
26 Who is it that has so lawlessly encompassed with outrageous treatment those who from the beginning differed from all nations in their goodwill toward us and often have accepted willingly the worst of human dangers?
27 Loose and untie their unjust bonds! Send them back to their homes in peace, begging pardon for your former actions!

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. Or [excelled above]
  • [b]. Other ancient authorities read [revoking your former commands]
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.