19. If you continue to be loyal to the government, I will do everything I can in the future to benefit your nation.
20. I have instructed your representatives and mine to meet with you to discuss the details of these matters.
21. May all go well with you. Dated the 24th day of the month of Dioscorinthius in the year 148.”
22. This is a copy of the king's letter:“King Antiochus to the honourable Lysias, greetings.
23. Now that my father has gone to be with the gods, I want the subjects of my kingdom to conduct their own affairs without interference.
24. I understand that the Jews do not wish to adopt the Greek way of life, as my father had intended, but prefer their own way of life and have requested that they be allowed to live according to their own customs.
25. Since I desire that they live undisturbed like the other nations in my empire, I hereby decree that their Temple be restored to them and that they be allowed to live according to the customs of their ancestors.
26. Please inform them of this decision and assure them of my friendship, so that they may conduct their own affairs in peace, without anything to worry about.”
27. Here is a copy of the king's letter to the Jewish people:“King Antiochus to the Jewish leaders and all the Jews, greetings.
28. I hope that all is going well for you. I am in good health.
29. Menelaus has informed me of your desire to return home and attend to your own affairs.
30. So then, those of you who return home by the 30th of the month of Xanthicus may rest assured that you have nothing to fear.
31. You may continue to observe your food laws and other laws, as you used to do, and no Jew will be punished for any crime done in ignorance.
32. I am sending Menelaus to set your minds at ease.
33. May all go well with you. Dated the 15th day of the month of Xanthicus in the year 148.”
34. The Romans also sent the Jews the following letter:“Quintus Memmius and Titus Manius, representatives of the Romans, to the Jews, greetings.
35. We are in complete agreement with all that has been granted to you by the noble Lysias.
36. We are now on our way to Antioch, so please examine carefully those matters that Lysias referred to the king. Then send a reply to us immediately so that we can represent your best interests before him. Do this as soon as you can,