26
And the king treated him as his predecessor had done before: and he exalted him in the sight of all his friends.
27
And he confirmed him in the high priesthood, and all the honours he had before, and he made him the chief of his friends.
28
And Jonathan requested of the king that he would make Judea free from tribute, and the three governments, and Samaria, and the confines thereof: and he promised him three hundred talents.
29
And the king consented: and he wrote letters to Jonathan of all these things to this effect.
30
King Demetrius to his brother Jonathan, and to the nation of the Jews, greeting.
31
We send you here a copy of the letter, which we have written to Lasthenes our parent concerning you, that you might know it.
32
King Demetrius to Lasthenes his parent, greeting.
33
We have determined to do good to the nation of the Jews who are our friends, and keep the things that are just with us, for their good will which they bear towards us.
34
We have ratified therefore unto them all the borders of Judea, and the three cities, Apherema, Lydda, and Ramatha, which are added to Judea, out of Samaria, and all their confines, to be set apart to all them that sacrifice in Jerusalem, instead of the payments which the king received of them every year, and for the fruits of the land, and of the trees.
35
And as for other things that belonged to us of the tithes, and of the tributes, from this time we discharge them of them: the saltpans also, and the crowns that were presented to us.
36
We give all to them, and nothing hereof shall be revoked from this time forth and for ever.