40. This was because he had heard that the Romans had addressed the Jews as friends, allies, and brothers, that they had received Simon’s envoys with honor,
41. and that the Jewish people and their priests had decided the following: Simon shall be their leader and high priest forever until a trustworthy prophet arises.
42. He shall act as governor over them, and shall have charge of the sanctuary, to make regulations concerning its functions and concerning the country, its weapons and strongholds.
43. He shall be obeyed by all. All contracts in the country shall be written in his name, and he shall be clothed in purple and gold.
44. It shall not be lawful for any of the people or priests to nullify any of these decisions, or to contradict the orders given by him, or to convene an assembly in the country without his consent, to be clothed in purple or wear a gold buckle.
45. Whoever acts otherwise or violates any of these prescriptions shall be liable to punishment.
46. “‘Thus all the people approved of granting Simon the right to act in accord with these decisions,
47. and Simon accepted and agreed to be high priest, governor, and ethnarch of the Jewish people and priests, and to have authority over all.’”