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Antiochus was in despair and could find no relief from his pain, because God was punishing him as he deserved, so he wrote the following letter to the Jews:
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"King Antiochus to the Jews, my most distinguished subjects. Warm greetings and best wishes for your health and prosperity.
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"I hope that you and your families are in good health and that all goes well with you. My hope is in God,
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and I remember with a deep sense of joy the respect and kindness that you have shown me. "On my way home from Persia I fell violently ill, and so I thought it best to begin making plans for the general welfare of the people.
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I have not given up hopes of getting well; in fact I am fully confident that I will recover.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.