1
Moreover Antiochus, son of Demetrius the king, sent letters from the isles of the sea unto Simon, the priest and prince of the Jews, and to all the people,
2
the contents of which were these: King Antiochus to Simon the high priest and prince of his nation, and to the people of the Jews, greeting:
3
Inasmuch as certain pestilent men have usurped the kingdom of our fathers, and my purpose is to challenge it again, that I may restore it to the old state, and to that end have gathered a multitude of foreign soldiers together and prepared ships of war,
4
my intent also being to go through the country, that I may be avenged on those who have destroyed it and made many cities in the kingdom desolate,
5
now therefore I confirm unto thee all the tax remissions which the kings before me granted thee, and whatsoever gifts besides they granted.
6
I give thee leave also to coin money for thy country with thine own stamp.