1 By that time, Antiochus had to return without glory from the regions of Persia.
2 When he entered a city called Persepolis, and tried to plunder the temple and seize the city, its inhabitants rebelled and took up arms against him. This people threw Antiochus and his men out. They fled and returned very much humiliated.
3 When Antiochus came to Ecbatana, he was informed of what had happened to the two generals - Nicanor and Timotheus - in Israel.
4 He was infuriated and determined to take revenge on the Jews for the offense he had just received in Persepolis when they forced him to flee. He ordered the chariot driver to hurry up and not to stop until the journey's end. But the judgment of God was coming upon him, for he said in his pride, "As soon as I arrive in Jerusalem, I shall turn it into a cemetery of the Jews."
5 Then the Lord who sees all, the God of Israel, punished him with an incurable sickness of an internal nature.
6 He had barely finished speaking when he felt an unbearable pain in his stomach and began to be afflicted all over his body. This was indeed just for one who had tortured others in the same way with countless new punishments.
7 But this did not diminish his arrogance. In his rage against the Jews, he gave orders to journey ahead with even more speed. Yet, because his chariot was running very fast, Antiochus fell and his physical condition worsened.
8 Not long before, in his conceit and sense of superiority he thought of giving orders to the sea and measuring the heights of the mountains. Now he lay down and had to be brought on a stretcher, giving to all a clear testimony of the power of God.
9 Worms began to teem in the body of the impious and though he was still alive, his flesh tore off into pieces, leaving him in agonizing pain. The stench of his decay was so intolerable that his whole army shunned him.
10 No one went near him who not long before thought he could touch the stars of heaven with his hand.
11 Only when he was beaten by the divine scourge did he begin to shed his arrogance. His pains grew worse, and he realized this was the punishment of God.
12 He himself could no longer endure his stench. He said, "It is right to submit to God. Mortal man should not try to be equal with him."
13 And the wretch made a vow to the Lord who would no longer take pity on him.
14 He had marched to Jerusalem to level it and turn it into a cemetery. But now he even promised to declare it a free city.
15 Moreover, he who before had refused burial to the Jews and wished to throw them with their children to the wild beasts, now offered to make them equal with the Athenians. He had plundered the temple and profaned the Sacred Place;
16 but now he promised to decorate it lavishly, to return a great number of the sacred vessels, and to pay for all the expenses of the sacrifices.
17 And he promised to become a Jew and to proclaim in all the inhabited countries the power of God.
18 His pains however did not diminish, for the just judgment of God had come upon him. He lost hope of recovery and wrote to the Jews this letter of supplication,
19 "To the honorable Jews, our citizens, good health, prosperity and all good things from the king and general, Antiochus.
20 If you and your children are well and your wishes are fulfilled, we give thanks to Heaven, for we remember your token of affection and kindness.
21 On my return from Persia, I became gravely ill, and because of this, I thought it necessary to be concerned for the common security of all of you.
22 I do not despair of my condition, and even have great hope of recovering from this illness.
23 But I thought of how my father would designate his successor whenever he set out for any military expedition into the uplands,
24 so that his subjects would not be upset if anything unexpected should happen or any misfortune should befall him. Everyone would know who is in power.
25 I am aware that the kings of all the neighboring countries around are watching the turn of events and waiting for an opportune time. Therefore, I have designated my son, Antiochus, as king. I already presented and commended him to most of you, when I set out for the northern regions. And now I communicate to him this letter I am sending you.
26 I ask you, then, to take into account the favors each and everyone of you has received from me and maintain the same kindness toward me and my son.
27 I am sure that following my own policies of moderation and humanity, he shall live in good accord with you."
28 In this way that blasphemer and murderer ended, suffering the terrible torments he had inflicted on others. He died miserably in the mountains of a foreign land.
29 His companion, Philip, brought his body and then withdrew to Egypt to the court of Ptolemy Philometor, because he feared the son of Antiochus.
Versículos relacionados com 2 Maccabees, 9:
Chapter 9 of 2 Maccabees narrates the death and final moments of the Seleucid King Antiochus IV Epiphanes, which brutally persecuted the Jews and profaped the sacred temple of Jerusalem. The verses selected below are related to the themes of divine punishment, repentance and mercy.
Psalm 50:22: "Understand this now, you who forget God, that it may not shatter you, without anyone free." This verse talks about the consequences of those who forget God and his righteousness, who are destroyed without anyone to save them, which can be applied to the Antiochus King.
Jeremiah 31:18: "I certainly heard Ephraim that was regretted: You have punished me, and I was punished, as a bull not yet tamed; I will convert, and convert me, because you are the Lord, my God." This verse shows the importance of repentance and the request for forgiveness to God. It can be applied to the Jews who suffered under the government of Antiochus, as well as the king himself who, in his final moments, allegedly sought divine forgiveness.
Psalm 103:8-10: "The Lord is merciful and compassionate, late in angry and great in love. It does not accuse or be resentful forever; it does not treat us as our sins nor do us return to our iniquities. " This verse highlights the mercy and compassion of God, which does not treat people according to their flaws, but with love and forgiveness. It can be applied to those who seek divine repentance and forgiveness.
Proverbs 16:18: "Pride precedes destruction, and the haughty of the Spirit precedes the fall." This verse talks about the dangers of pride and arrogance, which can lead to fall and destruction. It can be applied to the Antiochus King, whose pride and tyranny led him to be punished by God.
Luke 15:10: "Thus I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God by a single sinner who repents." This verse shows the joy that occurs in heaven when a person repents and turns to God. It can be applied to the Jews who suffered under the government of Antiochus, as well as the king himself who, in his final moments, allegedly sought divine forgiveness.
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