2 Maccabees 9:20

¹⁸But for all this his pains would not cease: for the just judgment of God was come upon him: therefore despairing of his health, he wrote unto the Jews the letter underwritten, containing the form of a supplication, after this manner:

¹⁹Antiochus, king and governor, to the good Jews his citizens wisheth much joy, health, and prosperity:

— 2 Maccabees 9:20 —

²¹As for me, I was weak, or else I would have remembered kindly your honor and good will. Returning out of Persia, and being taken with a grievous disease, I thought it necessary to care for the common safety of all:

²²not distrusting my health, but having great hope to escape this sickness.