1 Maccabees 13:31-42

Common English Bible

Judea gains independence

³¹Trypho dealt dishonestly with the young king Antiochus and killed him. ³²He put on the crown of Asia and became king in his place. He brought great disaster on the land. ³³But Simon built up the fortresses of Judea and put protection all around them with high towers, great walls, gates, and bolts. In addition, he stored food in the fortresses. ³⁴Simon also sent messengers to King Demetrius with a request to grant relief to the country, because Trypho had stolen many of their goods. ³⁵King Demetrius sent a reply to this request, and wrote him a letter:

³⁶King Demetrius. To Simon, the high priest and advisor of kings, and to the elders and nation of the Jews. Greetings!

³⁷We have received the gold crown and the palm branch that you sent. We are ready to make a general peace with you and to write to our officials to grant you release from tribute. ³⁸All the exemptions that we have made to you remain valid. Let the fortresses that you have built be in your possession. ³⁹We pardon any errors and offenses committed to this day. Plus, we cancel the crown tax that you owe. Whatever other tax has been collected in Jerusalem will not be collected any longer. ⁴⁰If any of you are qualified to be enrolled in our bodyguard, let them be enrolled. Finally, let there be peace between us.

⁴¹In the year 170,^[a] the yoke of the Gentiles was removed from Israel. ⁴²The people of Israel began to write in their documents and contracts, “In the first year of Simon the great high priest, commander and leader of the Jews.”

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