57
The young King Antiochus wrote to Jonathan and confirmed him as High Priest and as ruler over the four regions and gave him the title "Friend of the King."
58
He sent him a set of gold tableware and authorized him to drink from gold cups, to wear a royal robe, and to wear the gold shoulder buckle awarded to "Relatives of the King."
59
He also appointed Jonathan's brother Simon as governor of the territory from the Phoenician coast to the Egyptian border.
60
Jonathan then marched with his army through the towns of Greater Syria, and all the Syrian forces joined him as allies. He went to Ascalon, where the people welcomed him with great honors.
61
Then he went to Gaza, but the people there barred their gates against him. So he laid siege to the city and burned and looted the surrounding area.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.