19. To the worthy Jews, his fellow-citizens, Antiochus, king and general, wishes much joy and health and prosperity.
20. May you⌃ and your children fare well; and your affairs shall be to your mind. Having my hope in heaven,
21. I remembered with affection your honor and good will toward me. Returning out of the region of Persia, and being taken with a noisome sickness, I deemed it necessary to take thought for the common safety of all,
22. not despairing of myself, but having great hope to escape from the sickness.
23. But considering that my father also, at what time he led an army into the upper country, appointed his successor,
24. to the end that, if anything fell out contrary to expectation, or if any unwelcome tidings were brought, they that remained in the country, knowing to whom the state had been left, might not be troubled;
25. and, beside all this, observing how that the princes that are borderers and neighbors to my kingdom watch opportunities, and look for the future event, I have appointed my son Antiochus to be king, whom I often committed and commended to most of you, when I was hastening to the upper provinces; and I have written to him what is written below.
26. I exhort you therefore and beseech you, having in your remembrance the benefits done to you in common and severally, to preserve each of you your present good will toward me and my son.