The first letter
1 To our Jewish brothers and sisters in Egypt. Greetings! Your Jewish brothers and sisters in Jerusalem and in the country of Judea wish you prosperous peace.
2
May God do good for you and remember the covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, his faithful servants.
3
May God give to all of you the passion to worship him and to do his will with a whole heart and a willing spirit.
4
May God open your heart to his Law and commands, and give you peace.
5
May God listen to your prayers and be reconciled with you and not abandon you in an evil time.
6
We are praying for you here.
7
In the year 169, during the rule of Demetrius, we Jews wrote to you during a critical period of suffering that happened to us in the years after Jason and his followers revolted from the holy land and the kingdom.
8
They burned down the gate and murdered innocent people. We pleaded to the Lord, and the Lord heard us. We offered sacrifices and fine flour, lit the lamps, and set out the sacred loaves.
9
So now you should keep the Festival of Booths in the month of Kislev,