1 Maccabees 15:1-14

Common English Bible

Letter of Antiochus VII

15 Antiochus the son of King Demetrius sent a letter from the sea islands to Simon, the priest and ruler of the Jews, and to all the nation:

²King Antiochus to Simon the high priest and ruler, and to the nation of the Jews. Greetings!

³Some troublemakers have gained control of our ancestors’ kingdom. I intend to take command of the kingdom so that I may restore it to the way it used to be. I have recruited a large number of foreign troops and have equipped warships. ⁴I am going to come to the country so that I can move against the people who have destroyed our country and devastated many cities in my kingdom. ⁵Therefore, I confirm all of the favorable tax exemptions that previous kings have given you. Also, I consent to any agreements you had with them to release you from other payments. ⁶You have my permission to mint your own coins to use in your country. ⁷Furthermore, I give freedom to Jerusalem and the sanctuary. All the weapons you made and the fortress you built will remain in your possession. ⁸I cancel any debts you owe to the royal treasury now or in the future. ⁹When I gain control of the kingdom, I will give you great rewards. I will honor you, your nation, and the temple. Your reputation will become evident in all the earth.

¹⁰In the year 174,^[a] Antiochus invaded the land of his ancestors. All the troops went over to his side. Trypho had only a few remaining. ¹¹Antiochus pursued him, and Trypho fled to Dor, which is by the sea. ¹²He knew that things looked bad for him and that his troops had deserted him. ¹³Antiochus camped against Dor with one hundred twenty thousand warriors and eight thousand cavalry. ¹⁴He surrounded the town, and ships joined the battle from the sea. He pressured the town from land and sea, and he didn’t let anyone leave or enter it.

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