51. Then Alexander sent ambassadors to King Ptolemy the Sixth of Egypt with this message:
52. “I have returned to my kingdom and taken my seat on the throne of my ancestors. I have taken over the government, and I am now in control of the country.
53. I made war on Demetrius, defeated him and his army, and I have taken over his kingdom.
54. Now I am ready to make an alliance. Give me your daughter in marriage, and I will give both of you such gifts as you deserve.”
55. King Ptolemy replied, “It was a great day when you returned to your country and took the throne of your ancestors.
56. I agree to your proposals, but first meet me at Ptolemais. We can get acquainted there, and I will give you my daughter in marriage.”
57. So in the year 162 Ptolemy and his daughter Cleopatra left Egypt and arrived at Ptolemais.
58. King Alexander met them, and Ptolemy gave him his daughter in marriage. The wedding was celebrated there in Ptolemais with royal splendour.
59. King Alexander wrote asking Jonathan to come to meet him.
60. So Jonathan, in a show of splendour, went to Ptolemais and met the two kings. He presented them with gifts of silver and gold, and he also gave many gifts to the high officials who had accompanied them. Everyone was favourably impressed with him.
61. At the same time some traitorous Jews who wanted to make trouble for Jonathan made accusations against him, but King Alexander paid no attention to them.
62. He gave orders that Jonathan should be given royal robes to wear,
63. and he honoured him by letting him sit at his side. Alexander told his officers to take Jonathan into the centre of the city and to announce that no one was to bring charges against him for any reason and no one was to cause him any kind of trouble.