15
moreover how they had made for themselves a senate house wherein three hundred and twenty men sat in council daily, consulting always for the people, to the end that they might be well ordered;
16
and that they committed their government to one man every year, who ruled over all their country, and that all were obedient to that one, and that there was neither envy nor emulation among them.
17
In consideration of these things, Judas chose Eupolemus the son of John, the son of Accos, and Jason the son of Eleazar, and sent them to Rome to make a league of amity and confederacy with them,
18
and to entreat them that they would take the yoke from them; for they saw that the kingdom of the Grecians oppressed Israel with servitude.
19
They went therefore to Rome, which was a very great journey, and came into the senate where they spoke and said,
20
"Judas Maccabeus with his brethren, and the people of the Jews, have sent us unto you to make a confederacy and peace with you, and that we might be registered your confederates and friends."
21
So that matter pleased the Romans well.
22
And this is the copy of the epistle which the senate wrote back on tablets of brass and sent to Jerusalem, that there they might have by them a memorial of peace and confederacy:
23
"Good success be to the Romans and to the people of the Jews by sea and by land for ever. The sword also and enemy be far from them.
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If there come first any war upon the Romans or any of their confederates throughout all their dominion,
25
the people of the Jews shall help them, as the time shall be appointed, with all their heart.