2 Maccabees 9:3-5

New Catholic Bible

³ On his arrival in Ecbatana, he learned what had happened to Nicanor and to the forces of Timothy. ⁴ Bursting with anger, he devised a plan to make the Jews suffer for the injury inflicted by those who had put him to flight. Therefore, he ordered his charioteer to drive without stopping until he completed his journey.

However, the judgment of Heaven rode with him, since in his arrogance he declared, “Once I arrive in Jerusalem, I will turn it into a mass graveyard for Jews.” ⁵ And so the all-seeing Lord, the God of Israel, struck him with an unseen but incurable blow. Hardly had he spoken those words when he was seized with excruciating pains in his bowels and acute internal torment— Read full chapter