2 Maccabees 9:19-29

Common English Bible

¹⁹ To the worthy Jewish citizens, from the king and governor Antiochus. Greetings and health and prosperity.

²⁰ If you are in good health and your children and affairs are prospering, I give thanks to God with great joy, having hope in heaven, ²¹ remembering with affection your honor and goodwill.^[a] After returning from Persia and falling ill, which created a serious situation, I regarded it as necessary to think of the common safety of all the people. ²² I haven’t abandoned my situation as hopeless but rather hold on to hope that I might recover from the illness. ²³ I have also considered, however, that my father (on the occasions when he fought in the upper regions) used to appoint a successor to rule. ²⁴ He did this so that if anything should happen contrary to expectation or even if there should be some unwelcome news, people throughout the country would know that someone was left behind to govern and wouldn’t be deprived of their peace of mind. ²⁵ Moreover, observing how neighboring dynasties and kingdoms wait for the right moment and look forward with anticipation to what might happen next, I appoint my son Antiochus as king. Many times when I had to hurry to the upper provinces, I entrusted and commended him to most of you. I have written these orders to him as well. ²⁶ I call on you then, and request each one of you—remembering my benefits both public and private—to be faithful toward me and my son. ²⁷ I firmly believe he will follow my example closely, acting with kindness and generosity, with the intention of accommodating himself to you.