Whereof when he heard, he was angry, and immediately removing, he came to Ptolemais, and wrote unto Jonathan, that he should not lay siege to the tower, but come and speak with him at Ptolemais in great haste.
[23] Nevertheless Jonathan, when he heard this, commanded to besiege it still: and he chose certain of the elders of Israel and the priests, and put himself in peril;
[24] And took silver and gold, and raiment, and divers presents besides, and went to Ptolemais unto the king, where he found favour in his sight.
[25] And though certain ungodly men of the people had made complaints against him,
[26] Yet the king entreated him as his predecessors had done before, and promoted him in the sight of all his friends,
[27] And confirmed him in the high priesthood, and in all the honours that he had before, and gave him preeminence among his chief friends.
[28] Then Jonathan desired the king, that he would make Judea free from tribute, as also the three governments, with the country of Samaria; and he promised him three hundred talents.
[29] So the king consented, and wrote letters unto Jonathan of all these things after this manner:
[30] King Demetrius unto his brother Jonathan, and unto the nation of the Jews, sendeth greeting:
[31] We send you here a copy of the letter which we did write unto our cousin Lasthenes concerning you, that ye might see it.
[32] King Demetrius unto his father Lasthenes sendeth greeting:
[33] We are determined to do good to the people of the Jews, who are our friends, and keep covenants with us, because of their good will toward us.
[34] Wherefore we have ratified unto them the borders of Judea, with the three governments of Apherema and Lydda and Ramathem, that are added unto Judea from the country of Samaria, and all things appertaining unto them, for all such as do sacrifice in Jerusalem, instead of the payments which the king received of them yearly aforetime out of the fruits of the earth and of trees.
[35] And as for other things that belong unto us, of the tithes and customs pertaining unto us, as also the saltpits, and the crown taxes, which are due unto us, we discharge them of them all for their relief.
[36] And nothing hereof shall be revoked from this time forth for ever.
[37] Now therefore see that thou make a copy of these things, and let it be delivered unto Jonathan, and set upon the holy mount in a conspicuous place.
[38] After this, when king Demetrius saw that the land was quiet before him, and that no resistance was made against him, he sent away all his forces, every one to his own place, except certain bands of strangers, whom he had gathered from the isles of the heathen: wherefore all the forces of his fathers hated him.
[39] Moreover there was one Tryphon, that had been of Alexander's part afore, who, seeing that all the host murmured against Demetrius, went to Simalcue the Arabian that brought up Antiochus the young son of Alexander,
[40] And lay sore upon him to deliver him this young Antiochus, that he might reign in his father's stead: he told him therefore all that Demetrius had done, and how his men of war were at enmity with him, and there he remained a long season.
[41] In the mean time Jonathan sent unto king Demetrius, that he would cast those of the tower out of Jerusalem, and those also in the fortresses: for they fought against Israel.
[42] So Demetrius sent unto Jonathan, saying, I will not only do this for thee and thy people, but I will greatly honour thee and thy nation, if opportunity serve.
[43] Now therefore thou shalt do well, if thou send me men to help me; for all my forces are gone from me.
[44] Upon this Jonathan sent him three thousand strong men unto Antioch: and when they came to the king, the king was very glad of their coming.
[45] Howbeit they that were of the city gathered themselves together into the midst of the city, to the number of an hundred and twenty thousand men, and would have slain the king.
[46] Wherefore the king fled into the court, but they of the city kept the passages of the city, and began to fight.
[47] Then the king called to the Jews for help, who came unto him all at once, and dispersing themselves through the city slew that day in the city to the number of an hundred thousand.
[48] Also they set fire on the city, and gat many spoils that day, and delivered the king.
[49] So when they of the city saw that the Jews had got the city as they would, their courage was abated: wherefore they made supplication to the king, and cried, saying,
[50] Grant us peace, and let the Jews cease from assaulting us and the city.
[51] With that they cast away their weapons, and made peace; and the Jews were honoured in the sight of the king, and in the sight of all that were in his realm; and they returned to Jerusalem, having great spoils.
[52] So king Demetrius sat on the throne of his kingdom, and the land was quiet before him.
[53] Nevertheless he dissembled in all that ever he spake, and estranged himself from Jonathan, neither rewarded he him according to the benefits which he had received of him, but troubled him very sore.
[54] After this returned Tryphon, and with him the young child Antiochus, who reigned, and was crowned.
[55] Then there gathered unto him all the men of war, whom Demetrius had put away, and they fought against Demetrius, who turned his back and fled.
[56] Moreover Tryphon took the elephants, and won Antioch.
[57] At that time young Antiochus wrote