that are sent by me, to commune with you.

11:21. Fare ye well. In the year one hundred and forty-eight, the four
and twentieth day of the month of Dioscorus.

In the year 148... Viz., according to the computation followed by the
Greeks; which was different from that of the Hebrews, followed by the
writer of the first book of Machabees. However, by this date, as well as
by other circumstances, it appears that the expedition of Lysias,
mentioned in this chapter, is different from that which is recorded, 1
Mac. 6.

11:22. But the king's letter contained these words King Antiochus to
Lysias, his brother, greeting.

11:23. Our father being translated amongst the gods we are desirous that
they that are in our realm should live quietly, and apply themselves
diligently to their own concerns.

11:24. And we have heard that the Jews would not consent to my father to
turn to the rites of the Greeks but that they would keep to their own
manner of living and therefore that they request us to allow them to
live after their own laws.

11:25. Wherefore being desirous that this nation also should be at rest,
we have ordained and decreed, that the temple should be restored to
them, and that they may live according to the custom of their ancestors.

11:26. Thou shalt do well, therefore, to send to them, and grant them
peace, that our pleasure being known, they may be of good comfort, and
look to their own affairs.

11:27. But the king's letter to the Jews was in this manner: King
Antiochus to the senate of the Jews, and to the rest of the Jews,
greeting.

11:28. If you are well, you are as we desire: we ourselves also are
well.

11:29. Menelaus came to us, saying that you desired to come down to your
countrymen, that are with us.

11:30. We grant, therefore, a safe conduct to all that come and go,
until the thirtieth day of the month of Xanthicus,

11:31. That the Jews may use their own kind of meats, and their own
laws, as before: and that none of them any manner of ways be molested
for things which have been done by ignorance.

11:32. And we have sent also Menelaus to speak to you.

11:33. Fare ye well. In the year one hundred and forty-eight, the
fifteenth day of the month of Xanthicus.

11:34. The Romans also sent them a letter, to this effect: Quintus
Memmius, and Titus Manilius, ambassadors of the Romans, to the people of
the Jews, greeting.

11:35. Whatsoever Lysias, the king's cousin, hath granted to you, we