1
King Ptolemy Philopator to the commanders throughout Egypt, and to all who are set over affairs, joy and strength.
2
We, too, and our children are well; and God has directed our affairs as we wish.
3
Certain of our friends did of malice vehemently urge us to punish the Jews of our realm in a body, with the infliction of a monstrous punishment.
4
They pretended that our affairs would never be in a good state till this took place. Such, they said, was the hatred borne by the Jews to all other people.
5
They brought them fettered in grievous chains as slaves, nay, as traitors. Without enquiry or examination they endeavoured to annihilate them. They buckled themselves with a savage cruelty, worse than Scythian custom.
The Brenton translation of the Septuagint is in the public domain.