2 Maccabees 3:12-14

New Catholic Bible

¹² He further added that it would be completely out of the question to inflict injustice upon those who had placed their trust in the sanctity of the place and in the holiness and inviolability of a temple venerated throughout the entire world. ¹³ However, because of the orders he had received from the king, Heliodorus stated that he had no other choice but to confiscate the money for the royal treasury. ¹⁴ And so, on the day he had designated for the purpose, he went in to draw up an inventory of the funds.

Distress of the Faithful. There was immense distress throughout the city. Read full chapter