2 Macc 9 | EngLXX | STEP | About that time came Antiochus with dishonor out of the country of Persia

‏ 2 Maccabees 9

1 About that time came Antiochus with dishonor out of the country of Persia 2 For he had entered the city called Persepolis, and went about to rob the temple, and tohold the city; whereupon the multitude running to defend themselves with their weapons put them to flight;and so it happened, that Antiochus being put to flight of the inhabitants returned with shame. 3 Now when he came to Ecbatane, news was brought him what had happened to Nicanor and Timotheus. 4 Then swelling with anger. he thought to avenge upon the Jews the disgrace done to himby those that made him flee. Therefore commanded he his chariotman to drive without ceasing, and to dispatchthe journey, the judgment of God now following him. For he had spoken proudly in this sort, That he wouldcome to Jerusalem and make it a common burying place of the Jews. 5 But the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, struck him with an incurable and invisible plague:or as soon as he had spoken these words, a pain of the bowels that was remediless came upon him, and soretorments of the inner parts; 6 And that most justly: for he had tormented other men's bowels with many and strange torments. 7 Howbeit he nothing at all ceased from his bragging, but still was filled with pride, breathingout fire in his rage against the Jews, and commanding to haste the journey: but it came to pass that hefell down from his chariot, carried violently; so that having a sore fall, all the members of his bodywere much pained. 8 And thus he that a little before thought he might command the waves of the sea, (so proudwas he beyond the condition of man) and weigh the high mountains in a balance, was now cast on the ground,and carried in an horselitter, showing forth to all the manifest power of God. 9 So that the worms rose up out of the body of this wicked man, and whiles he lived in sorrowand pain, his flesh fell away, and the filthiness of his smell was noisome to all his army. 10 And the man, that thought a little before he could reach to the stars of heaven, no mancould endure to carry for his intolerable stink. 11 Here therefore, being plagued, he began to leave off his great pride, and to come tothe knowledge of himself by the scourge of God, his pain increasing every moment. 12 And when he himself could not abide his own smell, he said these words, It is meet tobe subject to God, and that a man that is mortal should not proudly think of himself if he were God. 13 This wicked person vowed also to the Lord, who now no more would have mercy upon him,saying thus, 14 That the holy city (to the which he was going in haste to lay it even with the ground,and to make it a common burying place,) he would set at liberty: 15 And as touching the Jews, whom he had judged not worthy so much as to be buried, butto be cast out with their children to be devoured of the fowls and wild beasts, he would make them allequals to the citizens of Athens: 16 And the holy temple, which before he had spoiled, he would garnish with goodly gifts,and restore all the holy vessels with many more, and out of his own revenue defray the charges belongingto the sacrifices: 17 Yes, and that also he would become a Jew himself, and go through all the world that wasinhabited, and declare the power of God. 18 But for all this his pains would not cease: for the just judgment of God was come uponhim: therefore despairing of his health, he wrote to the Jews the letter underwritten, containing theform of a supplication, after this manner: 19 Antiochus, king and governor, to the good Jews his citizens wishes much joy, health,and prosperity: 20 If you⌃ and your children fare well, and your affairs be to your contentment, I givevery great thanks to God, having my hope in heaven. 21 As for me, I was weak, or else I would have remembered kindly your honor and good willreturning out of Persia, and being taken with a grievous disease, I thought it necessary to care for thecommon safety of all: 22 Not distrusting mine health, but having great hope to escape this sickness. 23 But considering that even my father, at what time he led an army into the high countries.appointed a successor, 24 To the end that, if any thing fell out contrary to expectation, or if any tidings werebrought that were grievous, they of the land, knowing to whom the state was left, might not be troubled: 25 Again, considering how that the princes that are borderers and neighbors to my kingdomwait for opportunities, and expect what shall be the event. I have appointed my son Antiochus king, whomI often committed and commended to many of you, when I went up into the high provinces; to whom I havewritten as follows: 26 Therefore I pray and request you to remember the benefits that I have done to you generally,and in special, and that every man will be still faithful to me and my son. 27 For I am persuaded that he understanding my mind will favourably and graciously yieldto your desires. 28 Thus the murderer and blasphemer having suffered most grievously, as he entreated othermen, so died he a miserable death in a strange country in the mountains. 29 And Philip, that was brought up with him, carried away his body, who also fearing theson of Antiochus went into Egypt to Ptolemeus Philometor.