Judas answered firmly, "I give you my word."
"But," continued Caiaphas, "wilt thou not repent of it? What induced thee to take this step?"
Judas answered, "The friendship between him and me has been cooling down for some time, and now I have quite broken with him."
"What has led to this?" asked Caiaphas.
Judas replied, "There is nothing more to be got from him and indeed I am resolved to remain loyal to lawful authority, that is always the best. What will you give me if I deliver him up to you?"
Then Caiaphas, speaking as if they were promising great things, said, "Thirty pieces of silver, which shall be at once paid over to thee!"
"Hear that, Judas?" cried Dathan, "thirty pieces of silver, what a gain!"
Before Judas could reply, Nathanael sprang to his feet, saying, "And mark thee well, Judas, this is not all! If thou executest this work right well thou shalt be cared for still further."
"And thou mayest become a rich and famous man," added a priest.
Judas said aloud, "I am contented," and added to himself, "Now the star of hope is rising for me."