1. And in the hundred and sixties year Alexander Epiphanes, the son of Antiochus, went up and took possession of Ptolemais: and they received him, and he reigned there.
2. And king Demetrius heard thereof, and he gathered together exceeding great forces, and went forth to meet him in battle.
3. And Demetrius sent letters to Jonathan with words of peace, so as to magnify him.
4. For he said, let us be beforehand to make peace with them, ere he make peace with Alexander against us:
5. for he will remember all the evils that we have done against him, and to his brethren and to his nation.
6. And he gave him authority to gather together forces, and to provide arms, and that he should be his confederate: and he commanded that they should deliver up to him the hostages that were in the citadel.
7. And Jonathan came to Jerusalem, and read the letters in the audience of all the people, and of them that were in the citadel:
8. and they were sore afraid, when they heard that the king had given him authority to gather together a host.
9. And they of the citadel delivered up the hostages to Jonathan, and he restored them to their parents.
10. And Jonathan lived in Jerusalem, and began to build and renew the city.