15
And concerning the Jews, whom he had judged not worthy so much as to be buried, but to be cast out with their children to be devoured by the fowls and wild beasts, he would make them all equals to the citizens of Athens;
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and the holy temple, which before he had despoiled, he would garnish with goodly gifts, and restore all the holy vessels with many more, and out of his own revenue defray the charges belonging to the sacrifices;
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yea, and that also he would become a Jew himself, and go through all the world that was inhabited, and declare the power of God.
18
But for all this, his pains would not cease; for the just judgment of God had come upon him. Therefore, despairing of his health, he wrote unto the Jews the letter following, containing the form of a supplication, in this manner:
19
Antiochus, king and governor, to the good Jews his citizens wisheth much joy, health, and prosperity.
20
If ye and your children fare well and your affairs be to your contentment, I give very 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 will. Returning out of Persia and being taken with a grievous disease, I thought it necessary to care for the common safety of all.
22
Not distrusting mine health, and having great hope to escape this sickness,
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but considering that even my father, at what time he led an army into the high countries, appointed a successor
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to the end that, if any thing befell contrary to expectation or if any tidings were brought that were grievous, they of the land, knowing to whom the state was left, might not be troubled;
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again, considering that the princes who are borderers and neighbors unto my kingdom wait for opportunities, and expect what shall be the event, I have appointed my son Antiochus king, whom I often committed and commended unto many of you when I went up into the high provinces. To him I have written as followeth.