New American Bible, Revised Edition

1 Maccabees 8:22-31 New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE)

22. and this is a copy of the reply they inscribed on bronze tablets and sent to Jerusalem, to remain there with the Jews as a record of peace and alliance:

23. “May it be well with the Romans and the Jewish nation at sea and on land forever; may sword and enemy be far from them.

24. But if war is first made on Rome, or any of its allies in any of their dominions,

25. the Jewish nation will fight along with them wholeheartedly, as the occasion shall demand;

26. and to those who wage war they shall not give or provide grain, weapons, money, or ships, as seems best to Rome. They shall fulfill their obligations without receiving any recompense.

27. In the same way, if war is made first on the Jewish nation, the Romans will fight along with them willingly, as the occasion shall demand,

28. and to those who attack them there shall not be given grain, weapons, money, or ships, as seems best to Rome. They shall fulfill their obligations without deception.

29. On these terms the Romans have made an agreement with the Jewish people.

30. But if both parties hereafter agree to add or take away anything, they shall do as they choose, and whatever they shall add or take away shall be valid.

31. “Moreover, concerning the wrongs that King Demetrius is doing to them, we have written to him thus: ‘Why have you made your yoke heavy upon our friends and allies the Jews?