23 I have also considered, however, that my father (on the occasions when he fought in the upper regions) used to appoint a successor to rule.
24 He did this so that if anything should happen contrary to expectation or even if there should be some unwelcome news, people throughout the country would know that someone was left behind to govern and wouldn’t be deprived of their peace of mind.
25 Moreover, observing how neighboring dynasties and kingdoms wait for the right moment and look forward with anticipation to what might happen next, I appoint my son Antiochus as king. Many times when I had to hurry to the upper provinces, I entrusted and commended him to most of you. I have written these orders to him as well.
26 I call on you then, and request each one of you—remembering my benefits both public and private—to be faithful toward me and my son.
27 I firmly believe he will follow my example closely, acting with kindness and generosity, with the intention of accommodating himself to you.
28 Then the murderer, who also showed God the greatest disrespect, suffered the worst things, just as he had treated others. His life ended pitifully in a foreign area in the mountains.
29 Philip, who was his close friend, transported his body home. But he was suspicious of the king’s son Antiochus, so he fled to Ptolemy Philometor in Egypt.