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.
10 Jonathan moved to Jerusalem and began repairing and rebuilding the city.