21 Farewell. In the one hundred forty-eighth year, on the twenty-fourth day of the month of Dioscorus."
22 But the letter of the king contained this: "King Antiochus to Lysias, his brother: greetings.
23 Since our father has been transferred among the gods, we are willing that those who are in our kingdom should act without tumult, and should attend diligently to their own concerns.
24 We have heard that the Jews would not consent to my father to convert to the rites of the Greeks, but that they chose to keep to their own institutions, and, because of this, that they ask of us to leave them to their own laws.
25 Therefore, wanting this nation, likewise, to be at rest, we have reached a judgment that the temple should be restored to them, so that they may act according to the custom of their ancestors.
26 You will do well, therefore, if you send to them and grant them a pledge, so that our will becomes known, and they may be of good courage, and may look after their own needs."
27 Truly, the letter of the king to the Jews was such as this: "King Antiochus to the senate of the Jews, and to the rest of the Jews: greetings.