2 Maccabees 9:1–29

¹ Now about that time, Antiochus retreated in disorder from the region of Persia. (WEB) ² For he had entered into the city called Persepolis, and he attempted to rob a temple and to control the city. Therefore the multitudes rushed in and the people of the country turned to defend themselves with weapons; and it came to pass that Antiochus was put to flight by the people of the country and broke his camp with disgrace. (WEB) ³ While he was at Ecbatana, news was brought to him about what had happened to Nicanor and the forces of Timotheus. (WEB) ⁴ Being overcome by his anger, he planned to make the Jews suffer for the evil deeds of those who had put him to flight. Therefore, with judgment from heaven even now accompanying him, he ordered his charioteer to drive without ceasing until he completed the journey; for he arrogantly said this: “I will make Jerusalem a common graveyard of Jews when I come there.” (WEB) ⁵ But the All-seeing Lord, the God of Israel, struck him with a fatal and invisible stroke. As soon as he had finished speaking this word, an incurable pain of the bowels seized him, with bitter torments of the inner parts— (WEB) ⁶ and that most justly, for he had tormented other men’s bowels with many and strange sufferings. (WEB) ⁷ But he in no way ceased from his rude insolence. No, he was filled with even more arrogance, breathing fire in his passion against the Jews, and giving orders to hasten the journey. But it came to pass moreover that he fell from his chariot as it rushed along, and having a grievous fall was tortured in all of the members of his body. (WEB) ⁸ He who had just supposed himself to have the waves of the sea at his bidding because he was so superhumanly arrogant, and who thought to weigh the heights of the mountains in a balance, was now brought to the ground and carried in a litter, showing to all that the power was obviously God’s, (WEB) ⁹ so that worms swarmed out of the impious man’s body, and while he was still living in anguish and pain, his flesh fell off, and by reason of the stench all the army turned with loathing from his decay. (WEB) ¹⁰ The man who a little before supposed himself to touch the stars of heaven, no one could endure to carry because of his intolerable stench. (WEB) ¹¹ Therefore he began in great part to cease from his arrogance, being broken in spirit, and to come to knowledge under the scourge of God, his pains increasing every moment. (WEB) ¹² When he himself could not stand his own smell, he said these words: “It is right to be subject to God, and that one who is mortal should not think they are equal to God.” (WEB) ¹³ The vile man vowed to the sovereign Lord, who now no more would have pity upon him, saying (WEB)