2 Maccabees 15:37-39

New Catholic Bible

Author’s Epilogue

³⁷ This, then, was the fate of Nicanor, and since that time, the city has remained in the possession of the Hebrews. Therefore, I will bring my own work to an end here too. ³⁸ If it has been well written and to the point, that has been my purpose. If it is poorly done and mediocre, that is the best I can do. ³⁹ For just as it is injurious to drink wine by itself or water by itself, whereas wine mixed with water produces a pleasant and delicious drink that enhances one’s enjoyment, so a skillful style used in presenting a story will delight the ears of those who read the work. Let this, then, be the end.