2
Now when King Demetrius heard thereof, he gathered together an exceeding great host and went forth against Alexander to fight.
3
Moreover Demetrius sent letters unto Jonathan with loving words, by which he magnified him.
4
For he said, "Let us first make peace with him before he joins with Alexander against us,
5
or else he will remember all the evils that we have done against him and against his brethren and his people."
6
Therefore Demetrius gave Jonathan authority to gather together a host and to provide weapons, that he might aid him in battle. He commanded also that the hostages who were in the tower should be delivered to him.
7
Then came Jonathan to Jerusalem, and read the letters in the hearing of all the people and of those who were in the tower,
8
who were sore afraid when they heard that the king had given him authority to gather together a host.
9
Thereupon they of the tower delivered their hostages unto Jonathan, and he delivered them unto their parents.
10
This done, Jonathan settled himself in Jerusalem, and began to build and repair the city.
11
And he commanded the workmen to build the walls and Mount Zion round about with square stones for fortification; and they did so.
12
Then the strangers who were in the fortresses which Bacchides had built fled away,