14
Yet for all this not one of them has put on a crown or worn purple as a mark of pride,
15
but they have built for themselves a senate chamber, and every day three hundred and twenty senators constantly deliberate concerning the people, to govern them well.
16
They trust one man each year to rule over them and to control all their land; they all heed the one man, and there is no envy or jealousy among them.
17
So Judas chose Eupolemus the son of John, son of Accos, and Jason the son of Eleazar, and sent them to Rome to establish friendship and alliance,
18
and to free themselves from the yoke; for they saw that the kingdom of the Greeks was completely enslaving Israel.
19
They went to Rome, a very long journey; and they entered the senate chamber and spoke as follows:
20
"Judas, who is also called Maccabeus, and his brothers and the people of the Jews have sent us to you to establish alliance and peace with you, that we may be enrolled as your allies and friends."
21
The proposal pleased them,
22
and this is a copy of the letter which they wrote in reply, on bronze tablets, and sent to Jerusalem to remain with them there as a memorial of peace and alliance:
23
"May all go well with the Romans and with the nation of the Jews at sea and on land for ever, and may sword and enemy be far from them.
24
If war comes first to Rome or to any of their allies in all their dominion,