20 A little later, Jonathan gathered an army in Judea. He built a lot of weapons to break through city walls and then attacked the fortress in Jerusalem.
21 King Demetrius the Second found out about the attack from some Jews who really hated the other Jews.
22 Demetrius became furious, and right away he went to the city of Ptolemais. From there he wrote a letter to Jonathan and said, “Stop attacking the fortress in Jerusalem! Come to Ptolemais as soon as you can. We need to talk.”
23 After Jonathan read the letter, he ordered his soldiers to keep up the attack. Then he risked his own life by taking some of the priests and leaders
24 to Ptolemais. He brought silver, gold, some clothing, and many other gifts for Demetrius, which made Demetrius friendly toward him.
25 Some Jews who were unfaithful to their Law kept bringing charges against Jonathan.
26 But Demetrius treated him well, just as the rulers before him had done. And one day, when all the trusted friends of Demetrius were there, he gave Jonathan an even higher honor