8. These people were very concerned when they heard that the king had given him authority to recruit troops.
9. The inhabitants in the elevated fortress released the hostages to Jonathan, and he returned them to their parents.
10. Jonathan took up residence in Jerusalem and began to rebuild and restore the city.
11. He directed the workers to build the walls and encircle Mount Zion with squared stones for better reinforcement, which they did.
12. Then from the fortress that Bacchides had built, the foreigners fled.
13. All of them left their places and returned to their own lands.
14. Only in Beth-zur did some Jews remain who had neglected the Law and the commandments, because Beth-zur was a place of refuge.
15. Now King Alexander heard about all the promises that Demetrius made to Jonathan. He also heard about the battles that Jonathan and his brothers had fought, the brave deeds they had done, and the troubles they had endured.
16. He said to himself, Will we find another man like this? We should make him our friend and ally.
17. So he wrote a letter to Jonathan:
18. King Alexander to his brother Jonathan. Greetings!
19. We have heard about you—that you are a mighty warrior and worthy to be our friend.