14. and persuaded them to come to terms on condition that all their rights were acknowledged, and promised that he would also persuade the king to become their friend.
15. And Maccabaeus gave consent upon all the conditions which Lysias proposed to him, being careful of the common good; for whatever requests Maccabaeus delivered in writing to Lysias concerning the Jews the king allowed.
16. For the letters written to the Jews from Lysias were to this effect: Lysias to the people of the Jews, greeting.
17. John and Absalom, who were sent from you, having delivered the petition written below, made request concerning the things signified therein.
18. What things soever therefore had need to be brought before the king I declared to him, and what things were possible he allowed.
19. If then you⌃ will preserve your good will toward the state, henceforward also will I endeavor to contribute to your good.
20. And on this behalf I have given order in detail, both to these men and to those that are sent from me, to confer with you.
21. Fare you⌃ well. Written in the hundred forty and eighth year, on the four and twentieth day of the month Dioscorinthius.
22. And the king’s letter was in these words: King Antiochus to his brother Lysias, greeting.
23. Seeing that our father passed to the gods having the wish that the subjects of his kingdom should be undisturbed and give themselves to the care of their own affairs,
24. we, having heard that the Jews do not consent to our father’s purpose to turn them to the customs of the Greeks, but choose rather their own manner of living, and make request that the customs of their law be allowed to them,—
25. choosing therefore that this nation also should be free from disturbance, we determine that their temple be restored to them, and that they live according to the customs that were in the days of their ancestors.
26. You will therefore do well to send messengers to them and give them the right hand of friendship, that they, knowing our mind, may be of good heart, and gladly occupy themselves with the conduct of their own affairs.
27. And to the nation the king’s letter was after this manner: King Antiochus to the senate of the Jews and to the other Jews, greeting.
28. If you⌃ fare well, we have our desire: we ourselves also are in good health.
29. Menelaus informed us that your desire was to return home and follow your own business.
30. They therefore that depart home up to the thirties day of Xanthicus shall have our friendship, with full permission