11. From this point on, he began to lose arrogance. He felt devastated and became aware of the divine punishment, suffering intense pain every moment.
12. Unable to put up with his own odor, he said, "It is fair to submit to God and for humans to stop thinking that they are God’s equals."
13. This repulsive individual solemnly promised to the Lord (although God no longer had mercy on him), declaring that
14. the holy city, to which he was rushing to knock down to the ground and turn into a mass cemetery, was now free.
15. And he would make all Jews equal to the Athenians, even though previously he had considered them unworthy of burial but fit only for bird food, and their infants fit for animals to prey upon.
16. He would adorn the holy temple, which he had formerly looted, with the most beautiful offerings. He would restore the temple equipment many times over and would give liberally from his own revenues to the expenses for the sacrifices.
17. In addition, he would become a Jew and would visit every inhabited place, announcing publicly God’s power.
18. When his pains didn’t diminish in any way—for God’s judgment had come upon him justly—and he had given up hope, he wrote to the Jews a letter of appeal. This was the content:
19. To the worthy Jewish citizens, from the king and governor Antiochus. Greetings and health and prosperity.
20. If you are in good health and your children and affairs are prospering, I give thanks to God with great joy, having hope in heaven,
21. remembering with affection your honor and goodwill. After returning from Persia and falling ill, which created a serious situation, I regarded it as necessary to think of the common safety of all the people.
22. I haven’t abandoned my situation as hopeless but rather hold on to hope that I might recover from the illness.