41
And all the additional funds which the government officials have not paid as they did in the first years, they shall give from now on for the service of the temple.
42
Moreover, the five thousand shekels of silver which my officials have received every year from the income of the services of the temple, this too is canceled, because it belongs to the priests who minister there.
43
And whoever takes refuge at the temple in Jerusalem, or in any of its precincts, because he owes money to the king or has any debt, let him be released and receive back all his property in my kingdom.
44
"Let the cost of rebuilding and restoring the structures of the sanctuary be paid from the revenues of the king.
45
And let the cost of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem and fortifying it round about, and the cost of rebuilding the walls in Judea, also be paid from the revenues of the king."
46
When Jonathan and the people heard these words, they did not believe or accept them, because they remembered the great wrongs which Demetrius had done in Israel and how he had greatly oppressed them.
47
They favored Alexander, because he had been the first to speak peaceable words to them, and they remained his allies all his days.
48
Now Alexander the king assembled large forces and encamped opposite Demetrius.
49
The two kings met in battle, and the army of Demetrius fled, and Alexander pursued him and defeated them.
50
He pressed the battle strongly until the sun set, and Demetrius fell on that day.
51
Then Alexander sent ambassadors to Ptolemy king of Egypt with the following message: