36
King Demetrius unto Simon the high priest and friend of kings, as also unto the elders and nation of the Jews, sendeth greeting:
37
The golden crown and the scarlet robe which ye sent unto us we have received; and we are ready to make a steadfast peace with you, yea, and to write unto our officers to confirm the immunities which we have granted.
38
And whatsoever covenants we have made with you shall stand, and the strongholds which ye have built shall be your own.
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As for any oversight or fault committed unto this day, we forgive it, and the crown tax also which ye owe us; and if there were any other tribute paid in Jerusalem, it shall no more be paid.
40
And look who are meet among you to be in our court; let them be enrolled, and let there be peace between us.
41
Thus the yoke of the heathen was taken away from Israel in the hundred and seventieth year.
42
Then the people of Israel began to write in their documents and contracts: In the first year of Simon the high priest, the governor and leader of the Jews.
43
In those days Simon encamped against Gazara and besieged it round about. He made also an engine of war and set it by the city, and battered a certain tower and took it.
44
And those who were in the engine leaped into the city, whereupon there was a great uproar in the city,
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insomuch that the people of the city rent their clothes, and climbed upon the walls with their wives and children and cried with a loud voice, beseeching Simon to grant them peace.
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And they said, Deal not with us according to our wickedness, but according to thy mercy.