16 Alexander replied, “I'd better make Jonathan my friend and ally. I'll never find anyone else like him.”
17 Alexander then sent Jonathan a letter, in which he said:
18 King Alexander sends greetings to his dear friend Jonathan!
19 I've been told that you are a powerful soldier and the kind of man who deserves to be one of my trusted friends.
20 So I appoint you high priest for your nation and a friend of the king. This means that you must be a very loyal follower. I'm also sending you a purple robe and a gold crown.
21 During the Festival of Shelters, in the seventh month of the year 160 of the Syrian Kingdom, Jonathan became high priest; he also built up a strong army.
22 When King Demetrius heard the news about Alexander and Jonathan, he was deeply distressed and said,