13:32 And he reigned in his stead, and crowned himself king of Asia, and brought a great calamity upon the land.
13:33 Then Simon built up the strong holds in Judea, and fenced them about with high towers, and great walls, and gates, and bars, and laid up victuals therein.
13:34 Moreover Simon chose men, and sent to king Demetrius, to the end he should give the land an immunity, because all that Tryphon did was to spoil.
13:35 Unto whom king Demetrius answered and wrote after this manner:
13:36 King Demetrius unto Simon the high priest, and friend of kings, as also unto the elders and nation of the Jews, sendeth greeting:
13:37 The golden crown, and the scarlet robe, which ye sent unto us, we have received: and we are ready to make a stedfast peace with you, yea, and to write unto our officers, to confirm the immunities which we have granted.
13:38 And whatsoever covenants we have made with you shall stand; and the strong holds, which ye have builded, shall be your own.
13:39 As for any oversight or fault committed unto this day, we forgive it, and the crown tax also, which ye owe us: and if there were any other tribute paid in Jerusalem, it shall no more be paid.
13:40 And look who are meet among you to be in our court, let then be enrolled, and let there be peace betwixt us.
13:41 Thus the yoke of the heathen was taken away from Israel in the hundred and seventieth year.