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for he went to the king at Ptolemais, taking silver and gold and clothing and numerous other gifts. And he won his favor.
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Although certain lawless men of his nation kept making complaints against him,
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the king treated him as his predecessors had treated him; he exalted him in the presence of all his friends.
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He confirmed him in the high priesthood and in as many other honors as he had formerly had, and made him to be regarded as one of his chief friends.
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Then Jonathan asked the king to free Judea and the three districts of Samaria from tribute, and promised him three hundred talents.
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The king consented, and wrote a letter to Jonathan about all these things; its contents were as follows:
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"King Demetrius to Jonathan his brother and to the nation of the Jews, greeting.
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This copy of the letter which we wrote concerning you to Lasthenes our kinsman we have written to you also, so that you may know what it says.
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`King Demetrius to Lasthenes his father, greeting.
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To the nation of the Jews, who are our friends and fulfil their obligations to us, we have determined to do good, because of the good will they show toward us.
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We have confirmed as their possession both the territory of Judea and the three districts of Aphairema and Lydda and Rathamin; the latter, with all the region bordering them, were added to Judea from Samaria. To all those who offer sacrifice in Jerusalem, we have granted release from the royal taxes which the king formerly received from them each year, from the crops of the land and the fruit of the trees.