32
and became king in his place, putting on the crown of Asia; and he brought great calamity upon the land.
33
But Simon built up the strongholds of Judea and walled them all around, with high towers and great walls and gates and bolts, and he stored food in the strongholds.
34
Simon also chose men and sent them to Demetrius the king with a request to grant relief to the country, for all that Trypho did was to plunder.
35
Demetrius the king sent him a favorable reply to this request, and wrote him a letter as follows,
36
"King Demetrius to Simon, the high priest and friend of kings, and to the elders and nation of the Jews, greeting.