1 About that time king Antiochus travelling through the high countries heard say, that Elymais in the country of Persia was a city greatly renowned for riches, silver, and gold; |
2 And that there was in it a very rich temple, wherein were coverings of gold, and breastplates, and shields, which Alexander, son of Philip, the Macedonian king, who reigned first among the Grecians, had left there. |
3 Wherefore he came and sought to take the city, and to spoil it; but he was not able, because they of the city, having had warning thereof, |
4 Rose up against him in battle: so he fled, and departed thence with great heaviness, and returned to Babylon. |
5 Moreover there came one who brought him tidings into Persia, that the armies, which went against the land of Judea, were put to flight: |
6 And that Lysias, who went forth first with a great power was driven away of the Jews; and that they were made strong by the armour, and power, and store of spoils, which they had gotten of the armies, whom they had destroyed: |
7 Also that they had pulled down the abomination, which he had set up upon the altar in Jerusalem, and that they had compassed about the sanctuary with high walls, as before, and his city Bethsura. |
8 Now when the king heard these words, he was astonished and sore moved: whereupon he laid him down upon his bed, and fell sick for grief, because it had not befallen him as he looked for. |
9 And there he continued many days: for his grief was ever more and more, and he made account that he should die. |
10 Wherefore he called for all his friends, and said unto them, The sleep is gone from mine eyes, and my heart faileth for very care. |
11 And I thought with myself, Into what tribulation am I come, and how great a flood of misery is it, wherein now I am! for I was bountiful and beloved in my power. |
12 But now I remember the evils that I did at Jerusalem, and that I took all the vessels of gold and silver that were therein, and sent to destroy the inhabitants of Judea without a cause. |
13 I perceive therefore that for this cause these troubles are come upon me, and, behold, I perish through great grief in a strange land. |
