15. and as touching the Jews, whom he had decided not even to count worthy of burial, but to cast them out to the beasts with their infants, for the birds to devour, he would make them all equal to citizens of Athens;
16. and the holy sanctuary, which before he had spoiled, he would adorn with goodliest offerings, and would restore all the sacred vessels many times multiplied, and out of his own revenues would defray the charges that were required for the sacrifices;
17. and, beside all this, that he would become a Jew, and would visit every inhabited place, publishing abroad the might of God.
18. But when his sufferings did in no wise cease, for the judgement of God had come upon him in righteousness, having given up all hope of himself, he wrote to the Jews the letter written below, having the nature of a supplication, to this effect:
19. To the worthy Jews, his fellow-citizens, Antiochus, king and general, wishes much joy and health and prosperity.
20. May you⌃ and your children fare well; and your affairs shall be to your mind. Having my hope in heaven,
21. I remembered with affection your honor and good will toward me. Returning out of the region of Persia, and being taken with a noisome sickness, I deemed it necessary to take thought for the common safety of all,
22. not despairing of myself, but having great hope to escape from the sickness.
23. But considering that my father also, at what time he led an army into the upper country, appointed his successor,
24. to the end that, if anything fell out contrary to expectation, or if any unwelcome tidings were brought, they that remained in the country, knowing to whom the state had been left, might not be troubled;
25. and, beside all this, observing how that the princes that are borderers and neighbors to my kingdom watch opportunities, and look for the future event, I have appointed my son Antiochus to be king, whom I often committed and commended to most of you, when I was hastening to the upper provinces; and I have written to him what is written below.
26. I exhort you therefore and beseech you, having in your remembrance the benefits done to you in common and severally, to preserve each of you your present good will toward me and my son.
27. For I am persuaded that he in gentleness and kindness will follow my purpose and treat you with indulgence.