19. To his very good subjects the Jews, Antiochus king and ruler wisheth much health and welfare, and happiness.
20. If you and your children are well, and if all matters go with you to your mind, we give very great thanks.
21. As for me, being infirm, but yet kindly remembering you, returning out of the places of Persia, and being taken with a grievous disease, I thought it necessary to take care for the common good:
22. Not distrusting my life, but having great hope to escape the sickness.
23. But considering that my father also, at what time he led an army into the higher countries, appointed who should reign after him:
24. To the end that if any thing contrary to expectation should fall out, or ally bad tidings should be brought, they that were in the countries, knowing to whom the whole government was left, might not be troubled.
25. Moreover, considering that neighbouring princes and borderers wait for opportunities, and expect what shall be the event, I have appointed my son Antiochus king, whom I often recommended to many of you, when I went into the higher provinces: and I have written to him what I have joined here below.