it.
[16] For there were letters written unto the Jews from Lysias to this effect: Lysias unto the people of the Jews sendeth greeting:
[17] John and Absolom, who were sent from you, delivered me the petition subscribed, and made request for the performance of the contents thereof.
[18] Therefore what things soever were meet to be reported to the king, I have declared them, and he hath granted as much as might be.
[19] And if then ye will keep yourselves loyal to the state, hereafter also will I endeavour to be a means of your good.
[20] But of the particulars I have given order both to these and the other that came from me, to commune with you.
[21] Fare ye well. The hundred and eight and fortieth year, the four and twentieth day of the month Dioscorinthius.
[22] Now the king's letter contained these words: King Antiochus unto his brother Lysias sendeth greeting:
[23] Since our father is translated unto the gods, our will is, that they that are in our realm live quietly, that every one may attend upon his own affairs.
[24] We understand also that the Jews would not consent to our father, for to be brought unto the custom of the Gentiles, but had rather keep their own manner of living: for the which cause they require of us, that we should suffer them to live after their own laws.
[25] Wherefore our mind is, that this nation shall be in rest, and we have determined to restore them their temple, that they may live according to the customs of their forefathers.
[26] Thou shalt do well therefore to send unto them, and grant them peace, that when they are certified of our mind, they may be of good comfort, and ever go cheerfully about their own affairs.
[27] And the letter of the king unto the nation of the Jews was after this manner: King Antiochus sendeth greeting unto the council, and the rest of the Jews:
[28] If ye fare well, we have our desire; we are also in good health.
[29] Menelans declared unto us, that your desire was to return home, and to follow your own business:
[30] Wherefore they that will depart shall have safe conduct till the thirtieth day of Xanthicus with security.
[31] And the Jews shall use their own kind of meats and laws, as before; and none of them any manner of ways shall be molested for things ignorantly done.
[32] I have sent also Menelans, that he may comfort you.
[33] Fare ye well. In the hundred forty and eighth year, and the fifteenth day of the month Xanthicus.
[34] The Romans also sent unto them a letter containing these words: Quintus Memmius and Titus Manlius, ambassadors of the Romans, send greeting unto the people of the Jews.
[35] Whatsoever Lysias the king's cousin hath granted, therewith we also are well pleased.
[36] But touching such things as he judged to be referred to the king, after ye have advised thereof, send one forthwith, that we may declare as it is convenient for you: for we are now going to Antioch.
[37] Therefore send some with speed, that we may know what is your mind.
[38] Farewell. This hundred and eight and fortieth year, the fifteenth day of the month Xanthicus.

2Mac.12

[1] When these covenants were made, Lysias went unto the king, and the Jews were about their husbandry.
[2] But of the governours of several places, Timotheus, and Apollonius the son of Genneus, also Hieronymus, and Demophon, and beside them Nicanor the governor of Cyprus, would not suffer them to be quiet and live in peace.
[3] The men of Joppa also did such an ungodly deed: they prayed the Jews that dwelt among them to go with their wives and children into the boats which they had prepared, as though they had meant them no hurt.
[4] Who accepted of it according to the common decree of the city, as being desirous to live in peace, and suspecting nothing: but when they were gone forth into the deep, they drowned no less than two hundred of them.
[5] When Judas heard of this cruelty done unto his countrymen, he commanded those that were with him to make them ready.
[6] And calling upon God the righteous Judge, he came against those murderers of his brethren, and burnt the haven by night, and set the boats on fire, and those that fled thither he slew.
[7] And when the town was shut up, he went backward, as if he would return to root out all them of the city of Joppa.
[8] But when he heard that the Jamnites were minded to do in like manner unto the Jews that dwelt among them,
[9] He came upon the Jamnites also by night, and set fire on the haven and the navy, so that the light of the fire was seen at Jerusalem two hundred and forty furlongs off.
[10] Now when they were gone from thence nine furlongs in their journey toward Timotheus, no fewer than five thousand men on foot and five hundred horsemen of the Arabians set upon him.
[11] Whereupon there was a very sore battle; but Judas' side by the help of God got the victory; so that the Nomades of Arabia, being overcome, besought Judas for peace, promising both to give him cattle, and to pleasure him otherwise.
[12] Then Judas, thinking indeed that they would be profitable in many things, granted them peace: whereupon they shook hands, and so they departed to their tents.
[13] He went also about to make a bridge to a certain strong city, which was fenced about