1 Maccabees 10:2-19
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2 Now when king Demetrius heard thereof, he gathered together an exceeding great host, and went forth against him to fight.
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3 Moreover Demetrius sent letters unto Jonathan with loving words, so as he magnified him.
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4 For said he, Let us first make peace with him, before he join with Alexander against us:
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5 Else he will remember all the evils that we have done against him, and against his brethren and his people.
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6 Wherefore he gave him authority to gather together an host, and to provide weapons, that he might aid him in battle: he commanded also that the hostages that were in the tower should be delivered him.
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7 Then came Jonathan to Jerusalem, and read the letters in the audience of all the people, and of them that were in the tower:
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8 Who were sore afraid, when they heard that the king had given him authority to gather together an host.
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9 Whereupon they of the tower delivered their hostages unto Jonathan, and he delivered them unto their parents.
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10 This done, Jonathan settled himself in Jerusalem, and began to build and repair the city.
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11 And he commanded the workmen to build the walls and the mount Sion and about with square stones for fortification; and they did so.
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12 Then the strangers, that were in the fortresses which Bacchides had built, fled away;
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13 Insomuch as every man left his place, and went into his own country.
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14 Only at Bethsura certain of those that had forsaken the law and the commandments remained still: for it was their place of refuge.
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15 Now when king Alexander had heard what promises Demetrius had sent unto Jonathan: when also it was told him of the battles and noble acts which he and his brethren had done, and of the pains that they had endured,
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16 He said, Shall we find such another man? now therefore we will make him our friend and confederate.
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17 Upon this he wrote a letter, and sent it unto him, according to these words, saying,
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18 King Alexander to his brother Jonathan sendeth greeting:
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19 We have heard of thee, that thou art a man of great power, and meet to be our friend.