in Bethsura there remained some of them, that had forsaken
the law, and the commandments of God: for this was a place of refuge for
them.

10:15. And king Alexander heard of the promises that Demetrius had made
Jonathan: and they told him of the battles, and the worthy acts that he
and his brethren had done, and the labours that they had endured.

10:16. And he said: Shall we find such another man? now, therefore, we
will make him our friend and our confederate.

10:17. So he wrote a letter, and sent it to him according to these
words, saying:

10:18. King Alexander to his brother, Jonathan, greetings.

10:19. We have heard of thee, that thou art a man of great power, and
fit to be our friend:

10:20. Now therefore, we make thee this day high priest of thy nation,
and that thou be called the king's friend, (and he sent him a purple
robe, and a crown of gold) and that thou be of one mind with us in our
affairs, and keep friendship with us.

10:21. Then Jonathan put on the holy vestment in the seventh month, in
the year one hundred and threescore, at the feast day of the
tabernacles: and he gathered together an army, and made a great number
of arms.

10:22. And Demetrius heard these words, and was exceeding sorry, and
said:

10:23. What is this that we have done, that Alexander hath prevented us
to gain the friendship of the Jews to strengthen himself?

10:24. I also will write to them words of request, and offer dignities,
and gifts: that they may be with me to aid me.

10:25. And he wrote to them in these words: King Demetrius to the nation
of the Jews, greeting.

10:26. Whereas you have kept covenant with us, and have continued in our
friendship, and have not joined with our enemies, we have heard of it,
and are glad.

10:27. Wherefore now continue still to keep fidelity towards us, and we
will reward you with good things, for what you have done in our behalf.

10:28. And we will remit to you many charges, and will give you gifts.

10:29. And now I free you, and all the Jews, from tributes, and I
release you from the customs of salt, and remit the crowns, and the
thirds of the seed:

10:30. And the half of the fruit of trees, which is my share, I leave to
you from this day forward, so that it shall not be taken of the land of
Juda, and of the three cities that are added thereto out of Samaria and
Galilee, from this day forth, and for ever:

10:31. And let Jerusalem be holy and free, with the bor