Chapter 9
Antiochus was defeated near Persepolis. The Lord struck Antiochus with a plague; and he, in his torments, did penance and dies.
9:1 At the same time Antiochus was returning dishonorably from Persia, etc.
The things that were briefly noted in the previous book about the end of Antiochus are explained more fully in this one. Mystically, however, it shows that the persecutors of Christians, for the evil deeds they have committed and the works of injustice they have performed, will in the future receive from the Lord the just recompense of punishments; and that the one who here did not fear to disturb the hearts of the faithful will, in the final vengeance, be tormented by inward pains with late repentance. Concerning this it is written in the Book of Wisdom: Then the righteous will stand with great steadfastness against those who have oppressed them and who have taken away their labors. Seeing this, they will be troubled with terrible fear, and will marvel at the suddenness of unexpected salvation. Groaning with anguish of spirit, they will say within themselves, as they do penance: These are the ones whom we once held in contempt and made a catch phrase of reproach. We fools considered their life madness, and their end without honor. Behold how they are counted among the children of God, and their lot is among the saints. Therefore we have strayed from the way of truth, and the light of righteousness has not shone for us, and the sun of understanding has not risen upon us. We have grown weary in the way of iniquity and destruction, and we have walked difficult paths, but the way of the Lord we have not known. What has our pride profited us, or what has the boasting of riches brought us? All those things have passed away like a shadow, etc. (Wisdom 5).