2 Maccabees 6:12–17

¹²Now I beseech those that shall read this book, that they be not shocked at these calamities, but that they consider the things that happened, not as being for the destruction, but for the correction of our nation.

¹³For it is a token of great goodness, when sinners are not suffered to go on in their ways for a long time, but are presently punished.

¹⁴For, not as with other nations, (whom the Lord patiently expecteth, that when the day of judgment shall come, he may punish them in the fulness of their sins:)

¹⁵Doth he also deal with us, so as to suffer our sins to come to their height, and then take vengeance on us.

¹⁶And therefore he never withdraweth his mercy from us: but though he chastise his people with adversity he forsaketh them not.

¹⁷But let this suffice in a few words for a warning to the readers. And now we must come to the narration.