23
Nevertheless Jonathan, when he heard this, commanded to besiege it still: and he chose certain of the elders of Israel and the priests, and put himself in peril;
24
And took silver and gold, and raiment, and divers presents besides, and went to Ptolemais unto the king, where he found favour in his sight.
25
And though certain ungodly men of the people had made complaints against him,
26
Yet the king entreated him as his predecessors had done before, and promoted him in the sight of all his friends,
27
And confirmed him in the high priesthood, and in all the honours that he had before, and gave him preeminence among his chief friends.
28
Then Jonathan desired the king, that he would make Judea free from tribute, as also the three governments, with the country of Samaria; and he promised him three hundred talents.
29
So the king consented, and wrote letters unto Jonathan of all these things after this manner:
30
King Demetrius unto his brother Jonathan, and unto the nation of the Jews, sendeth greeting:
31
We send you here a copy of the letter which we did write unto our cousin Lasthenes concerning you, that ye might see it.
32
King Demetrius unto his father Lasthenes sendeth greeting:
33
We are determined to do good to the people of the Jews, who are our friends, and keep covenants with us, because of their good will toward us.