56
had returned from Persia and Media with the forces that had gone with the king, and that he was trying to seize control of the government.
57
So he quickly gave orders to withdraw, and said to the king, to the commanders of the forces, and to the troops, "Daily we grow weaker, our food supply is scant, the place against which we are fighting is strong, and the affairs of the kingdom press urgently on us.
58
Now then let us come to terms with these people, and make peace with them and with all their nation.
59
Let us agree to let them live by their laws as they did before; for it was on account of their laws that we abolished that they became angry and did all these things."
60
The speech pleased the king and the commanders, and he sent to the Jews an offer of peace, and they accepted it.
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.