28
Furthermore he sent unto him Athenobius, one of his friends, to commune with him and say, Ye withhold Joppa and Gazara, with the tower that is in Jerusalem, which are cities of my realm.
29
We thought it good, therefore, to write unto the kings and countries that they should do them no harm nor fight against them, their cities or countries, nor yet aid their enemies against them. The borders thereof ye have laid waste and done great hurt in the land, and gotten the dominion of many places within my kingdom.
30
Now therefore deliver the cities which ye have taken and the tribute from the places whereof ye have gotten dominion outside the borders of Judea;
31
or else give me for them five hundred talents of silver, and for the harm that ye have done and the tribute from the cities, another five hundred talents. If not, we will come and fight against you.
32
So Athenobius the king's friend came to Jerusalem; and when he saw the glory of Simon, and the cupboard of gold and silver plate, and his great retinue, he was astonished and told him the king's message.
Third Millennium Bible (TMB), New Authorized Version, Copyright 1998 by Deuel Enterprises, Inc., Gary, SD 57237. All rights reserved.