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[43]
When Alexander knew what promises Demetrius had made Jonathan, and
withal knew his courage, and what great things he had done when he fought
the Macedonians, and besides what hardships he had undergone by the means
of Demetrius, and of Bacchides, the general of Demetrius's army, he told
his friends that he could not at present find any one else that might afford
him better assistance than Jonathan, who was both courageous against his
enemies, and had a particular hatred against Demetrius, as having both
suffered many hard things from him, and acted many hard things against
him. If therefore they were of opinion that they should make him their
friend against Demetrius, it was more for their advantage to invite him
to assist them now than at another time. It being therefore determined
by him and his friends to send to Jonathan, he wrote to him this epistle:
"King Alexander to his brother Jonathan, sendeth greeting. We have
long ago heard of thy courage and thy fidelity, and for that reason have
sent to thee, to make with thee a league of friendship and mutual assistance.
We therefore do ordain thee this day the high priest of the Jews, and that
thou beest called my friend. I have also sent thee, as presents, a purple
robe and a golden crown, and desire that, now thou art by us honored, thou
wilt in like manner respect us also."
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