9. Then all of them together thanked the merciful God, and their hearts were filled with such courage that they were ready to assault not only human beings but even the most savage beasts, or even walls of iron.
10. Now that the Lord had shown mercy toward them, they advanced in battle order with the aid of their heavenly ally.
11. Hurling themselves upon the enemy like lions, they laid low eleven thousand foot soldiers and sixteen hundred cavalry, and put all the rest to flight.
12. Most of those who survived were wounded and disarmed, while Lysias himself escaped only by shameful flight.
13. But Lysias was not a stupid man. He reflected on the defeat he had suffered, and came to realize that the Hebrews were invincible because the mighty God was their ally. He therefore sent a message
14. persuading them to settle everything on just terms, and promising to persuade the king also, and to induce him to become their friend.
15. Maccabeus, solicitous for the common good, agreed to all that Lysias proposed; and the king granted on behalf of the Jews all the written requests of Maccabeus to Lysias.
16. These are the terms of the letter which Lysias wrote to the Jews: “Lysias sends greetings to the Jewish people.
17. John and Absalom, your envoys, have presented your signed communication and asked about the matters contained in it.
18. Whatever had to be referred to the king I called to his attention, and the things that were acceptable he has granted.
19. If you maintain your loyalty to the government, I will endeavor to further your interests in the future.
20. On the details of these matters I have authorized my representatives, as well as your envoys, to confer with you.
21. Farewell.” The one hundred and forty-eighth year, the twenty-fourth of Dioscorinthius.
22. The king’s letter read thus: “King Antiochus sends greetings to his brother Lysias.
23. Now that our father has taken his place among the gods, we wish the subjects of our kingdom to be undisturbed in conducting their own affairs.
24. We have heard that the Jews do not agree with our father’s change to Greek customs but prefer their own way of life. They are petitioning us to let them retain their own customs.
25. Since we desire that this people too should be undisturbed, our decision is that their temple be restored to them and that they live in keeping with the customs of their ancestors.