13:33. And Simon built up the strong holds of Judea, fortifying them with high towers, and great walls, and gates and bars: and he stored up victuals in the fortresses.
13:34. And Simon chose men, and sent to king Demetrius, to the end that he should grant an immunity to the land; for all that Tryphon did, was to spoil.
13:35. And king Demetrius, in answer to this request, wrote a letter in this manner:
13:36. King Demetrius to Simon, the high priest, and friend of kings, and to the ancients, and to the nation of the Jews, greeting:
13:37. The golden crown, and the palm, which you sent, we have received: and we are ready to make a firm peace with you, and to write to the king's chief officers to release you the things that we have released.
13:38. For all that we have decreed in your favour shall stand in force. The strong holds that you have built, shall be your own.
13:39. And as for any oversight or fault committed unto this day, we forgive it: and the crown which you owed: and if any other thing were taxed in Jerusalem, now let it not be taxed.
13:40. And if any of you be fit to be enrolled among ours, let them be enrolled, and let there be peace between us.
13:41. In the year one hundred and seventy, the yoke of the Gentiles was taken off from Israel.
13:42. And the people of Israel began to write in the instruments, and public records, The first year under Simon, the high priest, the great captain, and prince of the Jews.