3
Now when he came to Ecbatana, news was brought him of what had happened unto Nicanor and Timothy.
4
Then, swelling with anger, he thought to wreak vengeance upon the Jews for the disgrace done unto him by those who made him flee. Therefore commanded he his chariotman to drive without ceasing and to dispatch the journey, the judgment of God now following him; for he had spoken proudly in this manner: that he would come to Jerusalem and make it a common burying place of the Jews.
5
But the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, smote him with an incurable and invisible plague. For as soon as he had spoken these words, a pain of the bowels that was remediless came upon him, and sore torments of the inner parts,
6
and that most justly; for he had tormented other men's bowels with many and strange torments.
7
However he not at all ceased from his bragging, but still was filled with pride, breathing out fire in his rage against the Jews and commanding to hasten the journey. But it came to pass that he fell down from his chariot as it was carried violently, so that, having a sore fall, all the members of his body were much pained.
8
And thus he, that a little before thought he could command the waves of the sea (so proud was he beyond the condition of man), and weigh the high mountains in a balance, was now cast on the ground and carried in a horse litter, showing forth unto all the manifest power of God.
9
So the worms rose up out of the body of this wicked man, and while he lived in sorrow and pain, his flesh fell away, and the filthiness of his smell was noisome to all his army.
10
And the man who thought a little before he could reach to the stars of heaven, no man could endure to carry for his intolerable stench.
11
Here therefore, being plagued, he began to leave off his great pride and to come to the 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 to be subject unto God, and that a man who is mortal should not proudly think of himself as if he were God.
13
This wicked person vowed also unto the Lord, who now no more would have mercy upon him, saying thus: