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."
42 At that point the king, a Phalaris in every way, was filled with madness and gave no thought at all to the change of heart that had come about in him concerning the punishment of the Jews. He firmly swore an irrevocable pledge that he would send these people to the grave without delay, mangled by the knees and feet of the beasts.
43 He swore he would march against Judea and swiftly burn it to the ground with fire and spear. Their temple, which he hadn’t been allowed to enter, he would level with fire, ridding it forever of those who performed sacrifices there.
44 Then the friends and officials departed with joy and confidently assigned the armed forces to the places in the city that were best for keeping watch.
45 Now the elephant keeper drove the beasts almost to a state of madness with the most fragrant drinks, namely, wine mixed with incense, and he equipped them with frightful trappings.