The Koine Bible

But about that time Antiochus happened to have returned in disorder from the regions around Persia.

For he had entered the so-called Persepolis and had attempted to plunder the temple and to hold the city; therefore, when the multitude rushed to the help of the arms, they were turned back, and it happened that Antiochus, having been put to flight by the local inhabitants, made a shameful retreat

But while he was at Ecbatana, the events concerning Nicanor and those around Timotheus came upon him

And being lifted up in anger, he thought also to inflict upon the Jews the wickedness of those who had driven him out; therefore he ordered the charioteer, driving unceasingly, to hasten the journey, since the judgment from heaven was with him. For thus in his arrogance he said: I will make Jerusalem a common grave of Jews, when I have come there.

But the all-seeing Lord, the God of Israel, struck him with an incurable and unseen blow, and just as he had ceased speaking, an incurable pain of the entrails seized him, and bitter torments of the inward parts

very justly him who had tormented the bowels of others with many and extraordinary calamities

But he in no wise ceased from arrogance, and still was filled with pride, breathing fire in his anger against the Jews and ordering them to hasten the journey; and it happened that he also fell from the chariot that was being driven along with a rushing sound, and having fallen into a grievous downfall, all the limbs of his body were twisted out of joint.

But the one who just now seemed to command the waves of the sea, because of his arrogance beyond man, and who supposed he would set the heights of the mountains on a balance, having become laid low on a litter was being carried along, showing to all the manifest power of God

so that even worms were boiling up from the body of the ungodly man, and while he was living in pains and torments, his flesh was falling away, and by his stench the whole camp was burdened with the corruption

and no one was able to carry away him who a little before seemed to touch the heavenly stars, because of the unbearable weight of the smell

Then there began the great part of his arrogance to cease, broken and coming to recognition, being increasingly pressed by pains under the divine scourge from moment to moment

And being unable to endure even the smell of him, he said these things: It is right to submit to God and not, being mortal, to think godlike things.

But the vile man was praying to the Master who would no longer have mercy on him, saying thus:

the holy city, which, hastening, he came to make level with the ground and to build a common grave, to set free

And the Jews, whom he had decided should not even be deemed worthy of burial, but should be cast as food for birds of omen along with the infants to the beasts, all of them he would make equal to the Athenians.

whom, however, before he had stripped the holy temple, he would adorn with the finest votive offerings and would restore all the sacred vessels many times over, and he would furnish from his own revenues the contributions that fell upon the sacrifices

And besides these things, that he would also become a Jew and go through every inhabited place proclaiming the power of God

But the pains in no way ceasing, for the just judgment of God had come upon him, he, giving up hope of his condition, wrote to the Jews the letter written below, having the form of a supplication, and containing thus:

King and general Antiochus to the worthy Jews, the citizens, much greeting and to be well and to prosper

If you are well and the children and your own affairs are in accordance with your intention, while having the hope toward heaven

I remembered your honor and good will with affection, while returning from the regions in Persia, and having fallen into a sickness involving distress, I considered it necessary to take care for the common safety of all.

not despairing about my own affairs but having much hope to escape the illness

And seeing that even his father, at the times when he campaigned into the upper regions, had appointed the one who would succeed him

so that, if anything extraordinary should happen or also if anything difficult should be reported, those in the country, knowing to whom the affairs have been left, may not be troubled

And besides these things, considering the nearby rulers and those bordering on the kingdom, keeping to the times and expecting what will happen, I have appointed my son Antiochus king, whom, often going up into the upper satrapies, I was commending to most of you and recommending; and I have written to him the things written below.

I therefore entreat you and beseech you, remembering the benefits both in common and each one privately, to preserve the goodwill that exists toward me and my son.

For I am persuaded that he, graciously and kindly following my purpose, will deal with you also in common.

So the man-slayer and blasphemer, having suffered the worst things, as he had treated others, in a foreign land among the mountains, ended his life by a most pitiful death

And Philip, his companion, conveyed the body, who also, having feared the son of Antiochus, was transported to Ptolemy Philometor in Egypt.