1 Maccabees 13:36-40

Good News Translation

³⁶ King Demetrius to the High Priest Simon, the friend of kings, to the Jewish nation, and to their leaders, greetings. ³⁷ I have received the gold crown and the gold palm branch which you sent, and I am prepared to make a peace treaty with you and to instruct our tax officials to grant you exemptions. ³⁸ Our previous agreements with you are confirmed, and the fortresses which you have built are to remain yours. ³⁹ I grant you pardon for treaty violations committed up to the present date, and I release you from payment of the special tax still due and any other taxes that have been collected up to this time in Jerusalem. ⁴⁰ All Jews who are qualified may enroll in the royal service. Let us have peace.