2 Maccabees 9:23-25

Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition

²³ But considering that my father also, at what time he led an army into the higher countries, appointed who should reign after him:

²⁴ To the end that if any thing contrary to expectation should fall out, or any bad tidings should be brought, they that were in the countries, knowing to whom the whole government was left, might not be troubled.

²⁵ Moreover, considering that neighbouring princes and borderers wait for opportunities, and expect what shall be the event, I have appointed my son Antiochus king, whom I often recommended to many of you, when I went into the higher provinces: and I have written to him what I have joined here below.