37
We have received the gold crown and the palm branch which you sent, and we are ready to make a general peace with you and to write to our officials to grant you release from tribute.
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.
37
We have received the gold crown and the palm branch which you sent, and we are ready to make a general peace with you and to write to our officials to grant you release from tribute.
38
All the grants that we have made to you remain valid, and let the strongholds that you have built be your possession.
39
We pardon any errors and offenses committed to this day, and cancel the crown tax which you owe; and whatever other tax has been collected in Jerusalem shall be collected no longer.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.