2 Maccabees 11:24-26

Good News Translation

²⁴ I understand that the Jews do not wish to adopt the Greek way of life, as my father had intended, but prefer their own way of life and have requested that they be allowed to live according to their own customs. ²⁵ Since I desire that they live undisturbed like the other nations in my empire, I hereby decree that their Temple be restored to them and that they be allowed to live according to the customs of their ancestors. ²⁶ Please inform them of this decision and assure them of my friendship, so that they may conduct their own affairs in peace, without anything to worry about.