39
We pardon any errors and offenses committed to this day, and cancel the crown tax that you owe; and whatever other tax has been collected in Jerusalem shall be collected no longer.
40
And if any of you are qualified to be enrolled in our bodyguard, let them be enrolled, and let there be peace between us."
41
In the one hundred seventieth year the yoke of the Gentiles was removed from Israel,
42
and the people began to write in their documents and contracts, "In the first year of Simon the great high priest and commander and leader of the Jews."
43
In those days Simon encamped against Gazara and surrounded it with troops. He made a siege engine, brought it up to the city, and battered and captured one tower.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.