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Apocrypha. Alexander fled into Arabia, there cir. 146. to be defended j but king Ptolemee was exalted :

17 For Zabdiel the Arabian took off A- lexander's head, and sent it unto Ptolemee. dr. 145. x

18 King Ptolemee also died the third day Ha those a^ter» t and they that were in the strong that ivere holds were stain one of another. i«ii*Mdt

19 By this means Demetrius reigned in "qs^bost" tne hundred threescore and seventh year. that -were 2o At the same time Jonathan gathered tntbtboids. together them that were in Judea, to take the tower that was in Jerusalem : and he made many engines of war against it.

21 Then certain ungodly persons, who hated their own people, went unto the king, and told him that Jonathan besieged the tower.

22 Whereof when he heard, he was angry, and immediately removing, he came to Ptolemais, and wrote unto Jonathan, that he should not lay siege to the tower, but come and speak with him at Ptolemais in great haste.

23 Nevertheless Jonathan, when he heard this, commanded to besiege it still: and he chose certain of the elders of Israel and the priests, and put himself in peril

24 And took silver and gold, and rai ment, and divers presents besides, and went to Ptolemais unto the king, where he found favour in his sight.

6iCh&c°' 2£ And ' though certain ungodly men c' of the people had made complaints against him,

26 Yet the king entreated him as his predecessors had done before, and pro moted him in the sight of all his friends, -oCVi°" 2? ^nc* " confirmecl mm m high priesthood, and in all the honours that he had before, and gave him preeminence among his chief friends.

28 Then Jonathan desired the king, that he would make Judea free from tribute, as also the three governments, with the country of Samaria ; and he promised him three hundred talents.

29 So the king consented, and wrote letters unto Jonathan of all these things after this manner :

30 King Demetrius unto his brother Jo nathan, and unto the nation of the Jews, sendeth greeting :

31 We fend you here a copy of the letter which we did write unto our cousin Las- thenes concerning ) ou, that ye might see it.

32 King Demetrius unto his father Laf- thenes sendeth greeting :

33 We are determined to do good to the people of the Jews, who are our friends, 3«ver. 57 unto U Joseph. and keep covenants with us, because their good will toward us.

34 || Vherefore we have ratified them the borders of Judea, with the three governments of Apherema and Lydda and «p- 8. Ramathem, that are added unto Judea from the country of Samaria, and c all 'ch.io.+t. things appertaining unto them, for all such as do sacrifice in Jerusalem, instead of the payments which the king received of them yearly aforetime out of the fruits of the earth and of trees.

35 And as for other things that belong unto us, of the tithes and customs pertain ing unto us, as also d the faltpits, and the "ch.io »j. crown taxes, which are due unto us, we discharge them of them all for their relief.

36 And nothing hereof shall be revoked from this time forth for ever.

37 Now therefore see that thou make a copy of these things, and let it be deliver ed unto Jonathan, and set upon the holy mount in a conspicuous place.

38 After this, when king Demetrius saw that the land was quiet before him, and that no resistance was made against him, he sent away all his forces, every one to his own place, except certain bands of strangers, whom he had gathered from the illes of the heathen : wherefore all the forces of his fathers hated him.

39 Moreover there was one Tryphon, that had been of Alexander's part afore, who, seeing that all the host murmured against Demetrius, went to Simalcue the Arabian, that brought up Antiochus the young son of Alexander,

40 And lay sore upon him to deliver him this young Antiochus, that he might reign in his father's stead : he told him therefore all that Demetrius had done, and how his men of war were at enmity with him, and there he remained a long season.

41 In the mean time Jonathan sent unto king Demetrius, that he would cast those of the tower out of Jerusalem, and those also in the fortresses : for they fought against Israel.

42 So Demetrius sent unto Jonathan, saying, I will not only do this for thee and thy people, but I will greatly honour thee and thy nation, if opportunity serve.

43 Now therefore thou shalt do well, if thousendmementohelpme; for all my forces are gone from me.

44 Upon this Jonathan sent him three thousand strong men unto Antioch : and when they came to the king, the king was very glad of their coming.

45 Howbeit they that were of the qity