Chapter 10 _{21 So in the seventh month of the hundred and sixtieth year, at the feast of the tabernacles, Jonathan put on the holy robe, and gathered together forces, and provided much armour.22 Whereof when Demetrius heard, he was very sorry, and said,23 What have we done, that Alexander hath prevented us in making amity with the Jews to strengthen himself?24 I also will write unto them words of encouragement, and promise them dignities and gifts, that I may have their aid.25 He sent unto them therefore to this effect: King Demetrius unto the people of the Jews sendeth greeting:26 Whereas ye have kept covenants with us, and continued in our friendship, not joining yourselves with our enemies, we have heard hereof, and are glad.27 Wherefore now continue ye still to be faithful unto us, and we will well recompense you for the things ye do in our behalf,28 And will grant you many immunities, and give you rewards.29 And now do I free you, and for your sake I release all the Jews, from tributes, and from the customs of salt, and from crown taxes,30 And from that which appertaineth unto me to receive for the third part or the seed, and the half of the fruit of the trees, I release it from this day forth, so that they shall not be taken of the land of Judea, nor of the three governments which are added thereunto out of the country of Samaria and Galilee, from this day forth for evermore.31 Let Jerusalem also be holy and free, with the borders thereof, both from tenths and tributes.32 And as for the tower which is at Jerusalem, I yield up authority over it, and give the high priest, that he may set in it such men as he shall choose to keep it.33 Moreover I freely set at liberty every one of the Jews, that were carried captives out of the land of Judea into any part of my kingdom, and I will that all my officers remit the tributes even of their cattle.34 Furthermore I will that all the feasts, and sabbaths, and new moons, and solemn days, and the three days before the feast, and the three days after the feast shall be all of immunity and freedom for all the Jews in my realm.35 Also no man shall have authority to meddle with or to molest any of them in any matter.36 I will further, that there be enrolled among the king's forces about thirty thousand men of the Jews, unto whom pay shall be given, as belongeth to all king's forces.37 And of them some shall be placed in the king's strong holds, of whom also some shall be set over the affairs of the kingdom, which are of trust: and I will that their overseers and governors be of themselves, and that they live after their own laws, even as the king hath commanded in the land of Judea.38 And concerning the three governments that are added to Judea from the country of Samaria, let them be joined with Judea, that they may be reckoned to be under one, nor bound to obey other authority than the high priest's.39 As for Ptolemais, and the land pertaining thereto, I give it as a free gift to the sanctuary at Jerusalem for the necessary expences of the sanctuary.}