2 Maccabees 9

1About that time Antiochus happened to be returning in disgrace from the regions around Persia.

2For he had entered the so-called Persepolis and attempted to rob the temple and seize control of the city; therefore, when the crowds rushed to arms, they turned him back, and it happened that Antiochus, put to flight by the local inhabitants, made a shameful retreat.

3But while he was at Ecbatana, news came to him of what had happened to Nicanor and those with Timothy.

4But in his rage he thought to vent on the Jews the malice of those who had put him to flight. Therefore he ordered the charioteer, driving without stopping, to press on with the journey, while the judgment from heaven was accompanying him. For in his arrogance he had said, “When I arrive there, I will make Jerusalem a burial place of Jews.”

5But the all-seeing Lord, the God of Israel, struck him with an incurable and unseen blow; and just as he finished speaking, an unrelenting pain in his bowels seized him, with bitter torments in his inner parts,

6very justly, he who had tortured the inward parts of others with many and foreign afflictions.

7But he in no way ceased from his arrogance; rather, he was filled even more with pride, breathing fire in his rage against the Jews and ordering the journey to be hastened. Then it happened that he fell from the chariot as it was rushing along, and in the hard fall all the limbs of his body were wrenched out of joint.

8But the one who had thought, in his arrogance over men, to command even the waves of the sea, and imagined that he could weigh out the heights of the mountains on a scale, was brought down to the ground and carried in a litter, plainly showing to all the power of God.

9so that worms even swarmed from the body of the ungodly man, and while he was still alive, in pains and agonies, his flesh fell away, and because of his stench the whole camp was burdened by the rottenness.

10And no one was able to carry the man who a little earlier had seemed to touch the stars of heaven, because of the unbearable burden of the stench.

11Then the great extent of his arrogance began to come to an end, shattered, and to come to recognition under a divine scourge,

12As his pains intensified from moment to moment, and he was not even able to endure his own stench, he said this: “It is right to submit to God, and for one who is mortal not to think proudly.”

13But the polluted man kept praying to the Master who would no longer have mercy on him, saying this:

14As for the holy city, which he had been hurrying to make level with the ground and to build into a mass grave, he will declare it free.

15But the Jews, whom he had determined not even to count worthy of burial, but to cast out with their infants for the birds to devour and for the wild beasts—he would make them all equal to the Athenians.

16And the holy temple, which he had formerly plundered, he would adorn with the finest votive offerings, and he would restore all the sacred vessels many times over, and from his own revenues he would provide the expenses required for the sacrifices;

17And besides these things, he would also become a Jew and would visit every inhabited place, proclaiming the power of God.

18But when his pains had somewhat let up, for the just judgment of God had come upon him, and when he recognized his own condition, he wrote to the Jews the letter written below, having the character of a petition, and reading as follows:

19King Antiochus and general, to the good Jewish citizens: many greetings, and health, and prosperity.

20Farewell, and your children. And your own affairs—your own affairs—your own affairs will be according to your judgment. Having my hope in heaven,

21I remembered your honor and goodwill with affection; after returning from the regions of Persia and falling into an illness that has become severe, I considered it necessary to take thought for the common safety of all of you;

22not despairing about my condition, but having great hope that I will escape the sickness.

23And seeing that my father, whenever he campaigned in the upper regions, appointed the one who would succeed him,

24so that, if anything unexpected should happen and some difficulty should arise, those in the country, knowing to whom the affairs have been entrusted, may not be thrown into confusion;

25Moreover, considering the rulers nearby and those bordering the kingdom, who are watching for opportunities and awaiting what will happen, I have appointed my son Antiochus as king, whom, when I repeatedly went up to the upper satrapies, I often entrusted and commended to most of you. And I have written to him the things written below.

26Therefore I urge you and ask you, remembering the benefits shown both publicly and privately, each of you to maintain the goodwill that now exists toward me and my son.

27For I am convinced that, if he is guided by my purpose with fairness and humanity, he will deal with you accordingly.

28So then the murderer and blasphemer, after suffering the worst things, just as he had treated others, came to a most pitiable end in a foreign land among the mountains.

29But Philip, his companion, was carrying the body; and, because he feared Antiochus’s son, he went over to Ptolemy Philometor in Egypt.