30. Now hand over the cities that you have captured and the money you have received from the places you have conquered beyond Judea’s borders.
31. Or you can pay me 28,500 pounds of silver for the destruction you have caused and another 28,500 pounds for the tribute money of the cities. Otherwise, I will come and make war on you."
32. So the king’s advisor Athenobius came to Jerusalem. When he saw the magnificence of Simon, including his special cupboard that had gold and silver on it, all representing his considerable position, he was amazed. But he delivered the king’s message.
33. Simon replied, "We haven’t taken foreign land or property. We’ve taken only our ancestors’ inheritance, which was unjustly stolen by our enemies.
34. Now that we have the opportunity, we will hold on firmly to their inheritance.
35. As for Joppa and Gazara, which you demand, they were causing a lot of problems for our people and land. But we’ll give you 5,700 pounds of silver for them." Athenobius didn't say a word.
36. Instead, he returned with great anger and told the king what Simon had said. He also reported on Simon’s wealth and all that he had seen, and the king was enraged.