2 When King Demetrius found out that Alexander was in Ptolemais, he got together a mighty army and set out to attack him.
3 Demetrius sent Jonathan a friendly letter that flattered him.
4-5 He was thinking, “Jonathan could not have forgotten the terrible things I did to him and his brothers and his nation. If I don't hurry and make peace with him, he will join forces with Alexander and attack.”
6 In the letter Demetrius said:Jonathan, you have my permission to build a strong army and to be my ally. And I have told my soldiers to release to you the hostages that I'm keeping in the fortress at Jerusalem.
7 Jonathan took this letter to Jerusalem and read it to everyone, including those in the fortress.
8 His enemies were terrified by the letter, because it allowed him to build up an army.
9 The soldiers in the fortress immediately released the hostages to Jonathan, and he let them go home to their parents.