etting together, under the pretense of avenging themselves, and
become tumultuous. And that it may be more publicly known what Augustus
hath resolved about this whole matter, I have subjoined those edicts
which he hath lately caused to be published at Alexandria, and which,
although they may be well known to all, yet did king Agrippa, for whom
I have the highest honor, read them at that time before my tribunal,
and pleaded that the Jews ought not to be deprived of those rights which
Augustus hath granted them. I therefore charge you, that you do not, for
the time to come, seek for any occasion of sedition or disturbance, but
that every one be allowed to follow their own religious customs."

4. Thus did Petronius take care of this matter, that such a breach of
the law might be corrected, and that no such thing might be attempted
afterwards against the Jews. And now king Agrippa took the [high]
priesthood away from Simon Cantheras, and put Jonathan, the son of
Ananus, into it again, and owned that he was more worthy of that dignity
than the other. But this was not a thing acceptable to him, to recover
that his former dignity. So he refused it, and said, "O king! I rejoice
in the honor that thou hast for me, and take it kindly that thou wouldst
give me such a dignity of thy own inclinations, although God hath judged
that I am not at all worthy of the high priesthood. I am satisfied with
having once put on the sacred garments; for I then put them on after
a more holy manner than I should now receive them again. But if
thou desirest that a person more worthy than myself should have this
honorable employment, give me leave to name thee such a one. I have
a brother that is pure from all sin against God, and of all offenses
against thyself; I recommend him to thee, as one that is fit for this
dignity." So the king was pleased with these words of his, and passed
by Jonathan, and, according to his brother's desire, bestowed the
high priesthood upon Matthias. Nor was it long before Marcus succeeded
Petronius, as president of Syria.

CHAPTER 7. Concerning Silas And On What Account It Was That King Agrippa
Was Angry At Him. How Agrippa Began To Encompass Jerusalem With A Wall;
And What Benefits He Bestowed On The Inhabitants Of Berytus.

1. Now Silas, the general of the king's horse, because he had been
faithful to him under all his misfortunes, and had never refused to be
a partaker with him in any of his dangers, but had