2 Maccabees 9
1 Antiochus willing to spoil Persepolis, is put to flight. 5 As he persecutes the Jews, he is stricken of the Lord. 23 The feigned repentance of Antiochus. 28 He dies miserably.
AT the same time, came Antiochus again with dishonor out of the country of Persia.
For when he came to Persepolis, and went about to rob the Temple, and to subdue the city, the people ran in a rage to defend themselves with their weapons, and put them to flight, and Antiochus was put to flight by the inhabitants, and returned with shame.
Now when he came to Ecbatana, he understood the things that had come unto Nicanor, and Timotheus.
And then being chased in his fume, he thought to impute to the Jews their faute [fault, mistake]*, which had put him to flight, and therefore commanded his chariot men to drive continually, and to dispatch the journey: for God’s judgment compelled him: for he had said thus in his pride, I will make Jerusalem a common burying place of the Jews, when I come thither.
But the Lord Almighty and God of Israel smote him with an incurable and invisible plague: for as soon as he had spoken these words, a pain of the bowels, that was remediles [effect a cure, put right, rectify, remove something evil from; give legal redress]*, came upon him, and sore torments of the inner parts.
And that most justly: for he had tormented other men’s bowels with diverse, and strange torments.
Howbeit he would in no wise cease from his arrogancy, but swelled the more with pride, breathing out fire in his rage against the Jews, and commanded to hasten the journey: but it came to pass that he fell down from the chariot that ran swiftly, so that all the members of his body were bruised with the great fall.
And thus he that a little afore thought he might command the floods of the sea (so proud was he beyond the condition of man) and to weigh the high mountains in the balance, was now cast on the ground, and carried in an horse litter, declaring unto all the manifest power of God,
So that the worms came out of the body of this wicked man in abundance: and whiles he was alive, his flesh fell off for pain and torment, and all his army was grieved at his smell.
Thus no man could bear because of his stink, him that a little afore thought he might reach to the stars of heaven.
Then he began to leave off his great pride, and self will, when he was plagued and came to the knowledge of himself by the scourge of God, and by his pain which increased every moment.
And when he himself might not abide his own stink, he said these words, It is meet to be subject unto God, and that a man which is mortal, should not think himself equal unto God through pride.
This wicked person prayed also unto the Lord, who would now have no mercy on him,
And said thus that he would set at liberty the holy city unto them which he made haste to destroy it, and to make it a building place.
And as touching the Jews, whom he had judged not worthy to be buried, but would have cast them out with their children to be devoured of the fouls and wild beasts, he would make them all like the citizens of Athens.
And whereas he had spoiled the holy Temple afore, he would garnish it with great gifts, and increase the holy vessels, and of his own rents bear the charges belonging to the sacrifices.
Yes, and that he would also become a Jew himself, and go through all the world that was inhabited, and preach the power of God.
But for all this his pains would not cease: for the just judgment of God was come upon him: therefore despairing of his health, he wrote unto the Jews this letter underwritten, containing the form of a supplication.
THE KING and prince Antiochus unto the Jews his loving citizens wished much joy and health and prosperity.
If ye and your children fare well, and if all things go after your mind, I give great thanks unto God having hope in the heaven.
Though I lie sick, yet I am mindful of your honor, and good will for the love I bear you: therefore when I returned from the country of Persia, and fell into a sore disease, I thought it necessary to care for the common safety of all,
Not distrusting mine health, but having hope to escape this sickness.
Therefore considering that when my father led an host against the high countries, he appointed who should succeed him:
That if any controversy happened contrary to his expectation, or if that any tidings were brought that were grievous, they in the land might know to whom the affairs were committed, that they should not be troubled.
Again, when I ponder how that the governors, that are bordered, and neighbors unto my kingdom, wait for all occasions, and look but for opportunity, I have ordained that my son Antiochus shall be King whom I often commended and committed to many of you, when I went into the high provinces, and have written unto him as follows hereafter.
Therefore, I pray you and require you, to remember the benefits I have done unto you generally, and particularly, and that every man will be faithful to me and to my son.
For I trust that he will be gentle, and loving unto you according to my mind.
Thus the murderer and blasphemer suffered most grievously, and as he had entreated other men, so he died a miserable death in a strange country among the mountains.
And Philippe that was brought up with him, carried away his body, who fearing the son of Antiochus, went into Egypt to Ptolemeus Philometor.
*WP4Y
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