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,
23 “What have we done? Alexander's agreement with the Jews has made him very powerful.
24 Now I must write a friendly letter to the Jews and promise them better gifts and more honors. Then they'll come over to my side.”