2 Maccabees 6:12-14

Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition

¹² Now I beseech those that shall read this book, that they be not shocked at these calamities, but that they consider the things that happened, not as being for the destruction, but for the correction of our nation.

¹³ For it is a token of great goodness when sinners are not suffered to go on in their ways for a long time, but are presently punished.

¹⁴ For, not as with other nations (whom the Lord patiently expecteth, that when the day of judgment shall come, he may punish them in the fulness of their sins:)