1 Maccabees 13:35-45

35 And king Demetrius in answer to this request, wrote a letter in this manner:
36 King Demetrius to Simon the high priest, and friend of kings, and to the ancients, and to the nation of the Jews, greeting.
37 The golden crown, and the palm, which you sent, we have received: and we are ready to make a firm peace with you, and to write to the king's chief officers to release you the things that we have released.
38 For all that we have decreed in your favour, shall stand in force. The strong holds that you have built, shall be your own.
39 And as for any oversight or fault committed unto this day, we forgive it, and the crown which you owed: and if any other thing were taxed in Jerusalem, now let it not be taxed.
40 And if any of you be fit to be enrolled among ours, let them be enrolled, and let there be peace between us.
41 In the year one hundred and seventy the yoke of the Gentiles was taken off from Israel.
42 And the people of Israel began to write in the instruments, and public records, The first year under Simon the high priest, the great captain and prince of the Jews.
43 In those days Simon besieged Gaza, and camped round about it, and he made engines, and set them to the city, and he struck one tower, and took it.
44 And they that were within the engine leaped into the city: and there was a great uproar in the city.
45 And they that were in the city went up with their wives and children upon the wall, with their garments rent, and they cried with a loud voice, beseeching Simon to grant them peace.
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