2Mac 9:1 
About that time came Antiochus with dishonour out of the 
country of Persia 
 
2Mac 9:2 
For he had entered the city called Persepolis, and went about 
to rob the temple, and to hold the city; whereupon the multitude 
running to defend themselves with their weapons put them to 
flight; and so it happened, that Antiochus being put to flight 
of the inhabitants returned with shame. 
 
2Mac 9:3 
Now when he came to Ecbatane, news was brought him what had 
happened unto Nicanor and Timotheus. 
 
2Mac 9:4 
Then swelling with anger. he thought to avenge upon the Jews 
the disgrace done unto him by those that 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 sort, That he would come 
to Jerusalem and make it a common burying place of the Jew 
 
 
s. 
 
2Mac 9:5 
But the Lord Almighty, the God of Isreal, smote him with an 
incurable and invisible plague: or 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; 
 
2Mac 9:6 
And that most justly: for he had tormented other men's bowels 
with many and strange torments. 
 
2Mac 9:7 
Howbeit he nothing at all ceased from his bragging, but still 
was filled with pride, breathing out fire in his rage against 
the Jews, and commanding to haste the journey: but it came to 
pass that he fell down from his chariot, carried violently; so 
that having a sore fall, all the members of his body were much 
pained. 
 
2Mac 9:8 
And thus he that a little afore thought he might 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 an horselitter, shewing forth unto all 
the manifest power of God. 
 
2Mac 9:9 
So that the worms rose up out of the body of this wicked man, 
and whiles he lived in sorrow and pain, his flesh fell away, and 
the filthiness of his smell was noisome to all his army. 
 
2Mac 9:10 
And the man, that thought a little afore he could reach to 
the stars of heaven, no man could endure to carry for his 
intolerable stink. 
 
2Mac 9:11 
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. 
 
2Mac 9:12 
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 
that is mortal should not proudly think of himself if he were 
God. 
 
2Mac 9:13 
This wicked person vowed also unto the Lord, who now no more 
would have mercy upon him, saying thus, 
 
2Mac 9:14 
That the holy city (to the which he was going in haste to lay 
it even with the ground, and to make it a common buryingplace,) 
he would set at liberty: 
 
2Mac 9:15 
And as touching 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 of the fowls and wild beasts, he would make them all 
equals to the citizens of Athens: 
 
2Mac 9:16 
And the holy temple, which before he had spoiled, 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: 
 
2Mac 9:17 
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. 
 
2Mac 9:18 
But for all this his pains would not cease: for the just 
judgment of God was come upon him: therefore despairing of his 
health, he wrote unto the Jews the letter underwritten, 
containing the form of a supplication, after this manner: 
 
2Mac 9:19 
Antiochus, king and governor, to the good Jews his citizens 
wisheth much joy, health, and prosperity: 
 
2Mac 9:20 
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. 
 
2Mac 9:21 
As for me, I was weak, or else I would have remembered kindly 
your honour 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: 
 
2Mac 9:22 
Not distrusting mine health, but having great hope to escape 
this sickness. 
 
2Mac 9:23 
But considering that even my father, at what time he led an 
army into the high countries. appointed a successor, 
 
2Mac 9:24 
To the end that, if any thing fell out 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: 
 
2Mac 9:25 
Again, considering how that the princes that are borderers 
and neighbours 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 whom I have 
written as followeth: 
 
2Mac 9:26 
Therefore I pray and request you to remember the benefits 
that I have done unto you generally, and in special, and that 
every man will be still faithful to me and my son. 
 
2Mac 9:27 
For I am persuaded that he understanding my mind will 
favourably and graciously yield to your desires. 
 
2Mac 9:28 
Thus the murderer and blasphemer having suffered most 
grievously, as he entreated other men, so died he a miserable 
death in a strange country in the mountains. 
 
2Mac 9:29 
And Philip, that was brought up with him, carried away his 
body, who also fearing the son of Antiochus went into Egypt to 
Ptolemeus Philometor. 

Chapter 10

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