59. King Alexander also wrote to Jonathan to come and meet him.
60. So he went with pomp to Ptolemais, where he met the two kings and gave them and their friends silver and gold and many gifts and thus won their favor.
61. Some villainous men of Israel, transgressors of the law, united against him to accuse him, but the king paid no heed to them.
62. The king ordered Jonathan to be divested of his garments and to be clothed in royal purple; and so it was done.
63. The king also had him seated at his side. He said to his magistrates: “Go with him to the center of the city and make a proclamation that no one is to bring charges against him on any grounds or be troublesome to him for any reason.”
64. When his accusers saw the honor paid to him according to the king’s proclamation, and him clothed in purple, they all fled.
65. And so the king honored him, enrolling him among his Chief Friends, and he made him governor and chief of the province.
66. So Jonathan returned in peace and happiness to Jerusalem.
67. In the one hundred and sixty-fifth year, Demetrius, son of Demetrius, came from Crete to the land of his ancestors.
68. When King Alexander heard of it he was greatly troubled, and returned to Antioch.
69. Demetrius set Apollonius over Coelesyria. Having gathered a large army, Apollonius encamped at Jamnia. From there he sent this message to Jonathan the high priest:
70. “You are the only one who resists us. I am laughed at and put to shame on your account. Why are you exercising authority against us in the mountains?
71. If you have confidence in your forces, come down now to us in the plain, and let us test each other’s strength there; for the forces of the cities are on my side.
72. Inquire and find out who I am and who the others are who are helping me. People are saying that you cannot make a stand against us because your ancestors were twice put to flight in their own land.
73. Now you too will be unable to withstand our cavalry and such a force as this in the plain, where there is not a stone or a pebble or a place to flee.”