3. When Ptolemy had given these commands, he went back to his partying, having gathered those of his friends and of the army who were especially hostile toward the Jews.
4. But Hermon the elephant keeper promptly began to carry out the orders.
5. The servants in charge of the Jews went out in the evening, bound the hands of those enduring this distress, and arranged for their continued custody through the night. They expected that the entire race would come to a ruinous end.
6. To the Gentiles it seemed that the Jews were entirely without refuge, since in their chains, distress surrounded them on every side.
7. But with persistent cries and tears they all called upon their almighty Lord and merciful God and father, who rules over every power. They continued to pray
8. that he would turn away the evil plot against them and rescue them with a glorious display of power from their impending fate.
9. So their prayer rose earnestly to heaven.
10. Now when Hermon had made the savage elephants drunk so that they were full of a great quantity of wine and drugged with frankincense, he came to the palace courtyard early in the morning to report to the king.
11. But God sent to the king a portion of sleep, the precious creation from before recorded time, granted night and day by the one who gives it generously to whomever he wishes.
12. By the Lord’s doing, the king was overcome by a most pleasant and deep sleep, such that he utterly failed in his unlawful purpose and was completely cheated out of his stubborn plan.