37
And of them some shall be placed in the king's strongholds, of whom also some shall be set over the affairs of the kingdom in positions of trust. And I will that their overseers and governors be from among themselves and that they live by their own laws, even as the king hath commanded in the land of Judea.
38
"And concerning the three governments that are added to Judea from the country of Samaria, let them be joined with Judea, that they may be reckoned to be under one, not bound to obey other authority than the high priest's.
39
As for Ptolemais and the land pertaining thereto, I give it as a free gift to the sanctuary at Jerusalem for the necessary expenses of the sanctuary.
40
Moreover, I give every year fifteen thousand shekels of silver out of the king's accounts from the appertaining places.
41
And all the overplus, which the officers paid not in as in former times, from henceforth shall be given toward the works of the temple.
42
And besides this, the five thousand shekels of silver, which they took from the uses for the temple out of the accounts year by year, even those things shall be released, because they appertain to the priests who minister.
43
And whosoever they be who flee unto the temple at Jerusalem or be within the liberties thereof, being indebted unto the king or for any other matter, let them be at liberty and all that they have in my realm.
44
"For the building also and repairing of the works of the sanctuary, expenses shall be given from the king's accounts.
45
Yea, and for the building of the walls of Jerusalem and the fortifying thereof round about, expenses shall be given out of the king's accounts, as also for the building of the walls in Judea."
46
Now when Jonathan and the people heard these words, they gave no credence unto them nor received them, because they remembered the great evil that Demetrius had done in Israel; for he had afflicted them very sorely.
47
But with Alexander they were well pleased, because he was the first who entreated for peace with them, and they were confederate with him always.