14. and he promised that he would agree to all things that are just, and that he would persuade the king to be their friend.
15. Then Maccabeus assented to the request of Lysias, considering it useful in every way. And whatever Maccabeus wrote to Lysias, concerning the Jews, the king consented to it.
16. For there were letters written to the Jews from Lysias, which, indeed, were composed in this way: "Lysias, to the people of the Jews: greetings.
17. John and Absalom, who had been sent from you to deliver your writings, requested that I would implement these things that were signified by them.
18. Therefore, whatever things could be brought before the king, I have presented them. And he has conceded to those things that are permitted.
19. If, therefore, you will keep yourselves faithful in these matters, then, from now on, I will endeavor to be a cause of your good.
20. But as for other particulars, I have given orders by word, both to these, and to those who have been sent by me, to confer with you.
21. Farewell. In the one hundred forty-eighth year, on the twenty-fourth day of the month of Dioscorus."
22. But the letter of the king contained this: "King Antiochus to Lysias, his brother: greetings.
23. Since our father has been transferred among the gods, we are willing that those who are in our kingdom should act without tumult, and should attend diligently to their own concerns.
24. We have heard that the Jews would not consent to my father to convert to the rites of the Greeks, but that they chose to keep to their own institutions, and, because of this, that they ask of us to leave them to their own laws.
25. Therefore, wanting this nation, likewise, to be at rest, we have reached a judgment that the temple should be restored to them, so that they may act according to the custom of their ancestors.
26. You will do well, therefore, if you send to them and grant them a pledge, so that our will becomes known, and they may be of good courage, and may look after their own needs."
27. Truly, the letter of the king to the Jews was such as this: "King Antiochus to the senate of the Jews, and to the rest of the Jews: greetings.
28. If you are well, such is what we desire. But we ourselves are also well.
29. Menelaus came to us, saying that you wished to come down to your own, who are among us.