1Now around that time, Antiochus happened to be returning in disgrace from the regions of Persia.
2For he had entered the city called Persepolis and attempted to plunder its temple and seize the city. Therefore, the crowds rushed to take up arms, and Antiochus was routed by the local inhabitants, so that he was forced to make a shameful retreat.
3And while he was near Ecbatana, news reached him of what had happened to Nicanor and the forces with Timothy.
4Carried away by his anger, he planned to vent his fury on the Jews for his defeat. Therefore he ordered his charioteer to drive without stopping to complete the journey, for the judgment from heaven was already upon him. For he had said with such arrogance, ‘When I get there, I will make Jerusalem a burial ground for the Jews.’
5But the all-seeing Lord, the God of Israel, struck him with an incurable and invisible blow. As soon as he had finished speaking, an unbearable pain in his bowels seized him, along with bitter inner torments.
6This was entirely just, since he had tormented the bowels of others with many and strange afflictions.
7But he in no way ceased from his arrogance; he was still filled with insolence, breathing fire in his rage against the Jews and ordering the journey to be sped up. And it so happened that he fell from his chariot as it rushed along violently, and in that severe fall all the limbs of his body were racked with pain.
8And so he who, in his superhuman arrogance, had just thought he could command the waves of the sea and weigh the heights of the mountains in a balance, was now brought down to the ground and carried on a litter, making the power of God manifest to all.
9Worms swarmed from the body of the impious man, and while he was still alive in agony and pain, his flesh was falling off. And the stench of his decay sickened the whole army.
10And the man who a little while before had thought he could touch the stars of heaven, no one could bear to carry because of his unbearable stench.
11Then at last, being broken, he began to leave off his great arrogance and to come to a realization under the divine scourge, as his pains intensified moment by moment.
12When he could no longer bear his own stench, he said, ‘It is right to be subject to God, and for a mortal not to entertain arrogant thoughts.’
13And the defiled man prayed to the Master who would no longer have mercy on him, saying as follows:
14He vowed that the holy city, which he was hurrying to level and make a burial ground, he would declare free;
15and the Jews, whom he had decided were not even worthy of burial but should be thrown out with their infants for birds and wild beasts to devour—all of them he would make equal to the Athenians;
16and the holy temple, which he had previously plundered, he would adorn with the finest offerings, return all the holy vessels many times over, and supply the expenses for the sacrifices from his own revenues;
17and in addition to all this, he would even become a Jew and would go to every inhabited place proclaiming the power of God.
18But since his pains did not cease in any way—for the righteous judgment of God had come upon him—he gave up hope for himself and wrote to the Jews the letter copied below, which was in the nature of a supplication and read as follows:
19King and commander Antiochus, to his excellent Jewish citizens: many greetings, good health, and prosperity.
20If you and your children are well, and your affairs are as you wish, I am very glad. My hope is in heaven,
21and I remember your honor and goodwill with affection. Upon returning from the regions of Persia and falling into a grievous illness, I considered it necessary to take thought for the common security of all.
22I do not despair of my own situation, but have great hope of recovering from this illness.
23Considering that my father, during the times he campaigned in the upper regions, also appointed his successor,
24so that if anything unexpected should happen or any bad news be reported, the people of the country would know to whom the affairs of state had been left and would not be disturbed.
25In addition to this, and understanding that the neighboring rulers and those adjacent to the kingdom are watching for an opportunity and expecting what will happen, I have appointed my son Antiochus as king. I often entrusted and commended him to most of you when I traveled to the upper satrapies. And I have written to him what follows.
26Therefore I urge and ask you, remembering my benefits both public and private, that each of you maintain your present goodwill toward me and my son.
27For I am persuaded that he will follow my policy and will deal with you in moderation and kindness.
28So the murderer and blasphemer, after suffering the worst agonies just as he had inflicted them on others, ended his life by a most pitiful fate in a foreign land among the mountains.
29His body was transported by Philip, his foster brother. But Philip, fearing the son of Antiochus, went over to Ptolemy Philometor in Egypt.
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