23
"What is this that we have done? Alexander has gotten ahead of us in forming a friendship with the Jews to strengthen himself.
24
I also will write them words of encouragement and promise them honor and gifts, so that I may have their help."
25
So he sent a message to them in the following words: "King Demetrius to the nation of the Jews, greetings.
26
Since you have kept your agreement with us and have continued your friendship with us, and have not sided with our enemies, we have heard of it and rejoiced.
27
Now continue still to keep faith with us, and we will repay you with good for what you do for us.
28
We will grant you many immunities and give you gifts.
29
"I now free you and exempt all the Jews from payment of tribute and salt tax and crown levies,
30
and instead of collecting the third of the grain and the half of the fruit of the trees that I should receive, I release them from this day and henceforth. I will not collect them from the land of Judah or from the three districts added to it from Samaria and Galilee, from this day and for all time.
31
Jerusalem and its environs, its tithes and its revenues, shall be holy and free from tax.
32
I release also my control of the citadel in Jerusalem and give it to the high priest, so that he may station in it men of his own choice to guard it.
33
And everyone of the Jews taken as a captive from the land of Judah into any part of my kingdom, I set free without payment; and let all officials cancel also the taxes on their livestock.