11
Then it was that, broken in spirit, he began to lose much of his arrogance and to come to his senses under the scourge of God, for he was tortured with pain every moment.
12
And when he could not endure his own stench, he uttered these words, "It is right to be subject to God; mortals should not think that they are equal to God."
13
Then the abominable fellow made a vow to the Lord, who would no longer have mercy on him, stating
14
that the holy city, which he was hurrying to level to the ground and to make a cemetery, he was now declaring to be free;
15
and the Jews, whom he had not considered worth burying but had planned to throw out with their children for the wild animals and for the birds to eat, he would make, all of them, equal to citizens of Athens;
16
and the holy sanctuary, which he had formerly plundered, he would adorn with the finest offerings; and all the holy vessels he would give back, many times over; and the expenses incurred for the sacrifices he would provide from his own revenues;
17
and in addition to all this he also would become a Jew and would visit every inhabited place to proclaim the power of God.
18
But when his sufferings did not in any way abate, for the judgment of God had justly come upon him, he gave up all hope for himself and wrote to the Jews the following letter, in the form of a supplication. This was its content:
19
"To his worthy Jewish citizens, Antiochus their king and general sends hearty greetings and good wishes for their health and prosperity.
20
If you and your children are well and your affairs are as you wish, I am glad. As my hope is in heaven,
21
I remember with affection your esteem and goodwill. On my way back from the region of Persia I suffered an annoying illness, and I have deemed it necessary to take thought for the general security of all.