2 Maccabees 9:18-20

New Catholic Bible

¹⁸ However, when his sufferings did not abate in any way, inasmuch as the judgment of God had already justly befallen him, he lost all hope for himself and wrote to the Jews the following letter, in the form of a supplication. This was its content:

^19 [a]“To his worthy Jewish citizens Antiochus, their king and general, sends warm greetings and good wishes for their health and prosperity. ²⁰ If you and your children are well and your affairs are prospering as you wish, I am delighted. As my hopes are directed toward heaven,