1. And king Antiochus was journeying through the upper countries; and he heard say, that in Elymais in Persia there was a city renowned for riches, for silver and gold;
2. and that the temple which was in it was rich exceedingly, and that therein were golden shields, and breastplates, and arms, which Alexander, son of Philip, the Macedonian king, who reigned first among the Greeks, left behind there.
3. And he came and sought to take the city, and to pillage it; and he was not able, because the thing was known to them of the city,
4. and they rose up against him to battle: and he fled, and removed thence with great heaviness, to return to Babylon.
5. And there came one bringing him tidings into Persia, that the armies, which went against the land of Judah, had been put to flight;
6. and that Lysias went first with a strong host, and was put to shame before them; and that they had waxed strong by reason of arms and power, and with store of spoils, 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 Jerusalem; and that they had compassed about the sanctuary with high walls, as before, and Bethsura, his city.
8. And it came to pass, when the king heard these words, he was astonished and moved exceedingly: and he laid him down upon his bed, and fell sick for grief, because it had not befallen him as he looked for.
9. And he was there many days, because great grief was renewed upon him, and he made account that he should die.
10. And he called for all his Friends, and said to them, Sleep departs from mine eyes, and my heart fails for care.
11. And I said in my heart, To what tribulation am I come, and how great a flood is it, wherein I now am! for I was gracious and beloved in my power.