The Intrigue of Trypho

“King Demetrius sends greetings to his brother^* Jonathan and to the Jewish nation. 31We are sending you, for your information, a copy of the letter that we wrote to Lasthenes^* our Kinsman concerning you. 32‘King Demetrius sends greetings to his father Lasthenes. 33Upon the Jewish nation, who are our friends and observe their obligations to us, we have decided to bestow benefits because of the good will they show us. 34^d Therefore we confirm their possession, not only of the territory of Judea, but also of the three districts of Aphairema,^* Lydda, and Ramathaim. These districts, together with all their dependencies, are hereby transferred from Samaria to Judea for those who offer sacrifices in Jerusalem in lieu of the royal taxes the king used to receive yearly from the produce of earth and trees. 35From payment of the other things that would henceforth be due to us, namely, the tithes and taxes, as well as the salt tax, and the crown tax—from all these we grant them release. 36Henceforth and forever not one of these provisions shall ever be revoked. 37See to it, therefore, that a copy of these instructions be made and given to Jonathan. Let it be displayed on the holy mountain in a conspicuous place.’” The Intrigue of Trypho.