1Moreover Antiochus son of Demetrius the king sent letters from the isles of the sea to Simon the priest and prince of the Yahudim (Jews), and to all the people;
2The contents of which were these: King Antiochus to Simon the high priest and prince of his nation, and to the people of the Yahudim (Jews), greeting:
3Forasmuch as certain pestilent men have usurped the kingdom of our fathers, and my purpose is to challenge it again, that I may restore it to the old estate, and to that end have gathered a multitude of foreign soldiers together, and prepared ships of war;
4My meaning also being to go through the country, that I may be avenged of them that have destroyed it, and made many cities in the kingdom desolate:
5Now therefore I confirm to you all the oblations which the kings before me granted you, and whatsoever gifts besides they granted.
6I give you leave also to coin money for your country with your own stamp.
7And as concerning Jerusalem and the sanctuary, let them be free; and all the armour that you have made, and fortresses that you have built, and keepest in yours hands, let them remain to you.
8And if anything be, or shall be, owing to the king, let it be forgiven you from this time forth for evermore.