shall be placed in the king's strong holds, of whom also some shall be set over the affairs of the kingdom, which are of trust: and I will that their overseers and governors be of themselves, and that they live after their own laws, even as the king hath commanded in the land of Judea.
[38] And concerning the three governments that are added to Judea from the country of Samaria, let them be joined with Judea, that they may be reckoned to be under one, nor bound to obey other authority than the high priest's.
[39] As for Ptolemais, and the land pertaining thereto, I give it as a free gift to the sanctuary at Jerusalem for the necessary expences of the sanctuary.
[40] Moreover I give every year fifteen thousand shekels of silver out of the king's accounts from the places appertaining.
[41] And all the overplus, which the officers payed not in as in former time, from henceforth shall be given toward the works of the temple.
[42] And beside this, the five thousand shekels of silver, which they took from the uses of the temple out of the accounts year by year, even those things shall be released, because they appertain to the priests that minister.
[43] And whosoever they be that flee unto the temple at Jerusalem, or be within the liberties hereof, being indebted unto the king, or for any other matter, let them be at liberty, and all that they have in my realm.
[44] For the building also and repairing of the works of the sanctuary expences shall be given of the king's accounts.
[45] Yea, and for the building of the walls of Jerusalem, and the fortifying thereof round about, expences shall be given out of the king's accounts, as also for the building of the walls in Judea.
[46] Now when Jonathan and the people heard these words, they gave no credit unto them, nor received them, because they remembered the great evil that he had done in Israel; for he had afflicted them very sore.
[47] But with Alexander they were well pleased, because he was the first that entreated of true peace with them, and they were confederate with him always.
[48] Then gathered king Alexander great forces, and camped over against Demetrius.
[49] And after the two kings had joined battle, Demetrius' host fled: but Alexander followed after him, and prevailed against them.
[50] And he continued the battle very sore until the sun went down: and that day was Demetrius slain.
[51] Afterward Alexander sent ambassadors to Ptolemee king of Egypt with a message to this effect:
[52] Forasmuch as I am come again to my realm, and am set in the throne of my progenitors, and have gotten the dominion, and overthrown Demetrius, and recovered our country;
[53] For after I had joined battle with him, both he and his host was discomfited by us, so that we sit in the throne of his kingdom:
[54] Now therefore let us make a league of amity together, and give me now thy daughter to wife: and I will be thy son in law, and will give both thee and her as according to thy dignity.
[55] Then Ptolemee the king gave answer, saying, Happy be the day wherein thou didst return into the land of thy fathers, and satest in the throne of their kingdom.
[56] And now will I do to thee, as thou hast written: meet me therefore at Ptolemais, that we may see one another; for I will marry my daughter to thee according to thy desire.
[57] So Ptolemee went out of Egypt with his daughter Cleopatra, and they came unto Ptolemais in the hundred threescore and second year:
[58] Where king Alexander meeting him, he gave unto him his daughter Cleopatra, and celebrated her marriage at Ptolemais with great glory, as the manner of kings is.
[59] Now king Alexander had written unto Jonathan, that he should come and meet him.
[60] Who thereupon went honourably to Ptolemais, where he met the two kings, and gave them and their friends silver and gold, and many presents, and found favour in their sight.
[61] At that time certain pestilent fellows of Israel, men of a wicked life, assembled themselves against him, to accuse him: but the king would not hear them.
[62] Yea more than that, the king commanded to take off his garments, and clothe him in purple: and they did so.
[63] And he made him sit by himself, and said into his princes, Go with him into the midst of the city, and make proclamation, that no man complain against him of any matter, and that no man trouble him for any manner of cause.
[64] Now when his accusers saw that he was honored according to the proclamation, and clothed in purple, they fled all away.
[65] So the king honoured him, and wrote him among his chief friends, and made him a duke, and partaker of his dominion.
[66] Afterward Jonathan returned to Jerusalem with peace and gladness.
[67] Furthermore in the; hundred threescore and fifth year came Demetrius son of Demetrius out of Crete into the land of his fathers:
[68] Whereof when king Alexander heard tell, he was right sorry, and returned into Antioch.
[69] Then Demetrius made Apollonius the governor of Celosyria his general, who gathered together a great host, and camped in Jamnia, and sent unto Jonathan the high priest, saying,
[70] Thou alone liftest up thyself against us, and I am laughed to scorn for thy sake, and reproached: and why dost thou vaunt thy power against us in the mountains?
[71] Now therefore, if thou trustest in thine own strength, come down to us into the plain field, and there let us try the matter together: for with me is the power of the cities.
[72] Ask and learn who I am, and the