16 They entrust their government to one man every year, to rule over their entire land, and they all obey that one, and there is no envy or jealousy among them.
17 So Judas chose Eupolemus, son of John, son of Accos, and Jason, son of Eleazar, and sent them to Rome to establish friendship and alliance with them.
18 He did this to lift the yoke from Israel, for it was obvious that the kingdom of the Greeks was subjecting them to slavery.
19 After making a very long journey to Rome, the envoys entered the senate chamber and spoke as follows:
20 “Judas, called Maccabeus, and his brothers, with the Jewish people, have sent us to you to establish alliance and peace with you, and to be enrolled among your allies and friends.”
21 The proposal pleased the Romans,
22 and this is a copy of the reply they inscribed on bronze tablets and sent to Jerusalem, to remain there with the Jews as a record of peace and alliance: