1
Now Judas heard about the Romans' reputation for being strong and loyal to all who made an alliance with them. They pledged friendship to those who came to them.
2
They were very powerful. Judas had been told of their wars and of the brave deeds that they were doing among the Gauls—how they had defeated them and forced them to pay tribute.
3
He was told what they had done in Spain to get control of the silver and gold mines there.
4
They gained control over the entire region through their planning and patience, even though the place was a great distance from them. They also subdued the kings from the ends of the earth who fought against them, until they crushed them and inflicted heavy casualties on them. The rest paid annual fines to them.
5
They crushed in battle and conquered Philip and King Perseus of the Macedonians, as well as others who rose up against them.