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Now when king Alexander had heard what promises Demetrius had sent unto Jonathan: when
also it was told him of the battles and noble acts which he and his brethren had done, and of the
pains that they had endured,
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He said, Shall we find such another man? now therefore we will make him our friend and
confederate.
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Upon this he wrote a letter, and sent it unto him, according to these words, saying,
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King Alexander to his brother Jonathan sendeth greeting:
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We have heard of thee, that thou art a man of great power, and meet to be our friend.
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Wherefore now this day we ordain thee to be the high priest of thy nation, and to be called
the king's friend; (and therewithal he sent him a purple robe and a crown of gold:) and require thee
to take our part, and keep friendship with us.
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So in the seventh month of the hundred and sixtieth year, at the feast of the tabernacles,
Jonathan put on the holy robe, and gathered together forces, and provided much armour.
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Whereof when Demetrius heard, he was very sorry, and said,
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What have we done, that Alexander hath prevented us in making amity with the Jews to
strengthen himself?
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I also will write unto them words of encouragement, and promise them dignities and gifts,
that I may have their aid.
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He sent unto them therefore to this effect: King Demetrius unto the people of the Jews sendeth
greeting:
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Whereas ye have kept covenants with us, and continued in our friendship, not joining yourselves
with our enemies, we have heard hereof, and are glad.
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Wherefore now continue ye still to be faithful unto us, and we will well recompense you for
the things ye do in our behalf,
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And will grant you many immunities, and give you rewards.
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And now do I free you, and for your sake I release all the Jews, from tributes, and from the
customs of salt, and from crown taxes,
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And from that which appertaineth unto me to receive for the third part or the seed, and the
half of the fruit of the trees, I release it from this day forth, so that they shall not be taken of the
land of Judea, nor of the three governments which are added thereunto out of the country of Samaria
and Galilee, from this day forth for evermore.
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Let Jerusalem also be holy and free, with the borders thereof, both from tenths and tributes.
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And as for the tower which is at Jerusalem, I yield up authority over it, and give the high
priest, that he may set in it such men as he shall choose to keep it.
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Moreover I freely set at liberty every one of the Jews, that were carried captives out of the
land of Judea into any part of my kingdom, and I will that all my officers remit the tributes even
of their cattle.
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KJV Bible