41
The total accumulated state subsidy, which we have failed to pay in recent years, shall be paid, and the payments continued from now on for the work of the Temple.
42
In addition to this, we will no longer require the 5,000 silver coins annually from the Temple income. This money belongs to the priests serving in the Temple.
43
Whoever owes a debt to the king or any other debt and takes refuge in the Temple in Jerusalem or in any area that belongs to it may not be arrested nor may his property anywhere in my kingdom be confiscated.
44
The expenses for rebuilding and renovating the Temple shall be provided from the royal treasury.
45
Likewise, the expenses for rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem and its surrounding fortifications, as well as the walls of designated towns in Judea, shall be provided from the royal treasury."
46
When Jonathan and the people heard the proposals made by King Demetrius, they refused to believe them or accept them, because they remembered how harshly he had treated them and what terrible troubles he had caused them.
47
They preferred to give their allegiance to Alexander because he had been the first to open peace negotiations, and they remained his allies as long as he lived.
48
King Alexander raised a large army and took up battle positions facing Demetrius.
49
But when the armies of the two kings met in battle, the army of Alexander turned and ran. Demetrius pursued them and won the battle.
50
Alexander fought bitterly until sundown, but Demetrius was killed that day.
51
Then Alexander sent ambassadors to King Ptolemy the Sixth of Egypt with this message: