38 And whatever things we confirmed to you, they are confirmed; and the strongholds, which you⌃ have builded, let them be your own.
39 As for any oversights and faults committed to this day, we forgive them, and the crown which you⌃ owed us: and if there were any other toll exacted in Jerusalem, let it be exacted no longer.
40 And if there be any among you meet to be enrolled in our court, let them be enrolled, and let there be peace between us.
41 In the hundred and seventies year was the yoke of the heathen taken away from Israel.
42 And the people began to write in their instruments and contracts, In the first year of Simon, the great high priest and captain and leader of the Jews.
43 In those days he encamped against Gazara, and compassed it round about with armies; and he made an engine of siege, and brought it up to the city, and struck a tower, and took it.
44 And they that were in the engine leaped forth into the city; and there was a great uproar in the city: