The Koine Bible

And Judas heard the name of the Romans, that they are strong in might, and they themselves take pleasure in all who attach themselves to them, and whoever should come to them they establish friendship with them, and that they are strong in might

And they recounted to him their wars and the brave deeds which they do among the Galatians, and that they had mastered them and brought them under tribute.

and what things they did in the land of Spain in order to gain control of the silver mines and the gold mine there

And they gained control of the whole place by their counsel and by their patience, and the place was very far from them, and of the kings who came against them from the end of the earth until they crushed them and struck among them a great blow, and the survivors pay them tribute year by year

And they crushed Philip and Perseus, king of the Kitieans, and those who rose up against them, in war, and they overpowered them

and Antiochus the great king of Asia, who went against them in war, having one hundred twenty elephants and cavalry and chariots and a very great force, and he was crushed by them

And they took him alive and made them give him and those who reigned with him a great tribute and to give hostages and division

and India and Media and Lydia, the finest of their lands, and having taken them from him they gave them to King Eumenes

and that those from Greece resolved to come and to destroy them

And the report became known to them, and they sent against them one commander, and they fought against them, and many wounded fell from among them, and they captured their women and their children, and they plundered them and mastered the land and pulled down their fortifications and enslaved them until this day

And the remaining kingdoms and the islands, as many as at any time opposed them, they destroyed and enslaved them; and with their friends and those resting upon them they maintained friendship

and they mastered the kings near and those far away, and as many as heard their name were afraid of them

and whomsoever they wish to help, they help, and they make kings who reign; and whomsoever they wish, they remove and they were exceedingly exalted

and in all these things not one of them put on a diadem, nor did they clothe themselves in purple, so as to become great in it

And they made for themselves a council, and every day three hundred and twenty counseled continuously concerning the multitude, to order them well.

and they trust one man to rule over them year by year and to be lord over all their land, and all of them listen to the one, and there is no envy nor jealousy among them

And Judas chose Eupolemus son of John son of Accos and Jason son of Eleazar, and he sent them to Rome to establish friendship and alliance

and to lift the yoke from them, because they saw the kingdom of the Greeks enslaving Israel with slavery

And they went to Rome, and the way was very long, and they entered into the council chamber and answered and said

Judas, who is also called Maccabeus, and his brothers and the multitude of the Jews sent us to you, to establish with you a alliance and peace, and for us to be enrolled as your allies and friends.

And the matter was pleasing before them

And this is the copy of the letter which they wrote on bronze tablets and sent to Jerusalem, for it to be with them there as a memorial of peace and alliance.

May it be well for the Romans and for the nation of the Jews by sea and on dry land forever, and may sword and enemy be kept far from them

And if war should stand against Rome first or against all their allies in all their dominion

the nation of the Jews will ally, as the time may prescribe to them, with a full heart

and to those making war they shall not give nor provide grain, weapons, silver, ships, as it seemed good to Rome; and they shall keep their strongholds, taking nothing

And likewise, if war should happen to the nation of the Jews before them, the Romans will help from the heart, as time may prescribe for them

And to the allies there shall not be given grain, weapons, silver, ships, as it seemed good to Rome; and these stipulations shall be kept, and not with deceit.

According to these words, the Romans established it thus with the people of the Jews.

But if after these words these and these decide to add or to take away, they shall do it by their own choice, and whatever they add or take away shall be authoritative.

And concerning the evils which King Demetrius is bringing to completion against them, we wrote to him, saying, Why have you made your yoke heavy upon our friends, the Judean allies?

If therefore they still make entreaty against you, we will execute judgment on them, and we will wage war against you by sea and by land.