8
They were greatly alarmed when they heard that the king had given him authority to recruit troops.
9
But those in the citadel released the hostages to Jonathan, and he returned them to their parents.
10
And Jonathan took up residence in Jerusalem and began to rebuild and restore the city.
11
He directed those who were doing the work to build the walls and encircle Mount Zion with squared stones, for better fortification; and they did so.
12
Then the foreigners who were in the strongholds that Bacchides had built fled;
13
all of them left their places and went back to their own lands.
14
Only in Beth-zur did some remain who had forsaken the law and the commandments, for it served as a place of refuge.
15
Now King Alexander heard of all the promises that Demetrius had sent to Jonathan, and he heard of the battles that Jonathan and his brothers had fought, of the brave deeds that they had done, and of the troubles that they had endured.
16
So he said, "Shall we find another such man? Come now, we will make him our friend and ally."
17
And he wrote a letter and sent it to him, in the following words:
18
"King Alexander to his brother Jonathan, greetings.