, and into this country, and then sold them; as also all
those that were in my kingdom before them, and if there be any that have
been lately brought thither,--be made free by those that possess them;
and let them accept of [a hundred and] twenty drachmas for every slave.
And let the soldiers receive this redemption money with their pay, but
the rest out of the king's treasury: for I suppose that they were made
captives without our father's consent, and against equity; and that
their country was harassed by the insolence of the soldiers, and that,
by removing them into Egypt, the soldiers have made a great profit by
them. Out of regard therefore to justice, and out of pity to those that
have been tyrannized over, contrary to equity, I enjoin those that have
such Jews in their service to set them at liberty, upon the receipt of
the before-mentioned sum; and that no one use any deceit about them, but
obey what is here commanded. And I will that they give in their names
within three days after the publication of this edict, to such as are
appointed to execute the same, and to produce the slaves before them
also, for I think it will be for the advantage of my affairs. And let
every one that will inform against those that do not obey this decree,
and I will that their estates be confiscated into the king's treasury."
When this decree was read to the king, it at first contained the rest
that is here inserted, and omitted only those Jews that had formerly
been brought, and those brought afterwards, which had not been
distinctly mentioned; so he added these clauses out of his humanity, and
with great generosity. He also gave order that the payment, which
was likely to be done in a hurry, should be divided among the king's
ministers, and among the officers of his treasury. When this was over,
what the king had decreed was quickly brought to a conclusion; and this
in no more than seven days' time, the number of the talents paid for
the captives being above four hundred and sixty, and this, because their
masters required the [hundred and] twenty drachmas for the children
also, the king having, in effect, commanded that these should be
paid for, when he said in his decree, that they should receive the
forementioned sum for every slave.

4. Now when this had been done after so magnificent a manner, according
to the king's inclinations, he gave order to Demetrius to give him in
writing his sentiments concerning the transcribing of the