31
We send you here a copy of the letter which we wrote unto our cousin Lasthenes concerning you, that ye might see it.
32
`King Demetrius unto his father Lasthenes sendeth greeting:
33We are determined to do good for the people of the Jews, who are our friends and keep covenants with us, because of their good will toward us.
34
Therefore we have ratified unto them the borders of Judea, with the three governments of Apherema and Lydda and Ramathaim (which were added unto Judea from the country of Samaria), and all things appertaining unto them, for all such as do sacrifice in Jerusalem, instead of the yearly payments which the king received from them previously out of the fruits of the earth and of trees.
35
And as for other things that belong unto us of the tithes and customs pertaining unto us, as also the salt pits and the crown taxes which are due unto us, we discharge them from them all for their relief.
36
And nothing hereof shall be revoked from this time forth for ever.
37
Now therefore see that thou make a copy of these things, and let it be delivered unto Jonathan and set upon the holy mount in a conspicuous place.'
38
After this, when King Demetrius saw that the land was quiet before him, and that no resistance was made against him, he sent away all his forces, every one to his own place, except certain bands of foreigners whom he had gathered from the isles of the heathen. Therefore all the forces of his fathers hated him.
39
Moreover there was one Trypho, who had been on Alexander's side before, who, seeing that all the host murmured against Demetrius, went to Imalkue, the Arabian who brought up Antiochus the young son of Alexander,
40
and pressed sore upon him to deliver him this young Antiochus, that he might reign in his father's stead. He told him therefore all that Demetrius had done, and how his men of war were at enmity with him; and there he remained a long season.
41
In the meantime Jonathan sent unto King Demetrius, that he would cast those of the tower out of Jerusalem, and those also in the fortresses; for they fought against Israel.