6 King Antiokos (Antiochus) was travelling through the upper countries; and he heard that in Elymais in Paras (Persia) there was a city renowned for riches, for silver and gold, 2 and that the temple which was in it was exceedingly rich, and that in it were golden shields, breastplates, and weapons which Alexandros (Alexander), son of Filippos (Philip), the Makedonian king, who reigned first amongst the Hellains (Greeks), left behind there. 3 So he came and tried to take the city and to pillage it; and he was not able, because his plan was known to them of the city, 4 and they rose up against him in battle. He fled and returned to Bavel (Babylon) with great disappointment.

5 Then someone came into Paras bringing him news that the armies which went against the land of Yehudah had been put to flight, 6 and that Lusias went first with a strong army and was put to shame before them, and that they had grown strong because of weapons, power, and a supply of plunder which they took from the armies that they had cut off, 7 and that they had pulled down the abomination which he had built upon the altar that was in Yerushalem (Jerusalem), and that they had surrounded the sanctuary with high walls, as before, and also Beyt-Tsur, his city.

8 It came to pass, when the king heard these words, he was astonished and moved exceedingly. He laid himself down on his bed, and fell sick for grief, because it had not turned out for him as he had planned. 9 He was there many days, because great grief continually gripped him, and he realised that he would die. 10 He called for all his[fn] friends, and said to them, “Sleep departs from my eyes, and my heart fails because of worry. 11 I said in my heart, ‘To what suffering I have come! How great a flood it is that I’m in, now! Because I was gracious and loved in my power.’ 12 But now I remember the evils which I did at Yerushalem, and that I took all the vessels of silver and gold that were in it, and sent out to destroy the inhabitants of Yehudah without a cause. 13 I perceive that it is because of this that these evils have come upon me. Listen, I am perishing through great grief in a strange land.”

14 Then he called for Filippos (Philip), one of his[fn] friends, and set him over all his kingdom. 15 He gave him his crown, his robe, and his signet ring, so that he could guide Antiokos (Antiochus) his son, and nourish him up that he might be king. 16 Then King Antiokos died there in the one hundred and forty-ninth year.[fn] 17 When Lusias learnt that the king was dead, he set up Antiokos his son to reign, whom he had nourished up being young, and he called his name Eupator.