15. And king Alexander heard of the promises that Demetrius promised to Jonathan. And they described the battles to him, and the virtuous deeds that he and his brothers had done, and the hardships that they had endured.
16. And he said: "Would we ever find another such man? And so now, let us make him our friend and our associate."
17. And so, he wrote a letter, and he sent it to him, according to these words, saying:
18. "King Alexander to his brother, Jonathan: greetings.
19. We have heard of you, that you are a man of power and strength, and that you are fit to be our friend.
20. And so now, on this day, we appoint that you be high priest of your people, and that you be called the king's friend, (and he sent him a purple robe, and a crown of gold,) and that you be of one mind with us in our affairs, and that you keep friendship with us."
21. Then Jonathan clothed himself with the holy vestment, in the seventh month, in the one hundred and sixtieth year, on the solemn day of the Feast of Tabernacles. And he gathered together an army, and he made an abundance of weapons.
22. And Demetrius heard these words, and he was exceedingly sorrowful, and he said:
23. "What have we done in this, that Alexander has gone before us to obtain the friendship of the Jews to strengthen himself?
24. I also will write to them words of petition, and offer positions of rank and gifts, so that they may act in assistance to me."