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."
25. And he wrote to them in these words: "King Demetrius to the nation of the Jews: greetings.
26. Since you have kept the peace with us, and have remained in our friendship, and have not made agreements with our enemies, we have heard of this, and we are glad.
27. And so now, persevere still to remain faithful to us, and we will reward you with good things for what you have done for us.
28. And we will repay you for your many expenses, and we will give you gifts.
29. And now, I release you, and all the Jews, from tributes, and I grant to you the payments of salt, and I send back the crowns and the thirds of the seed.
30. And the one half portion of the fruit from the trees, which is my share, I relinquish to you from this day and hereafter, so that it shall not be taken from the land of Judah, nor from the three cities that have been added to it from Samaria and Galilee, from this day and for all time.
31. And let Jerusalem be holy and free within its borders, and let the tenths and tributes be for itself.
32. And I even return authority over the stronghold, which is in Jerusalem, and I give it to the high priest, in order to appoint in it any such men as he will choose, who will guard it.