1 Maccabees 8
1 Judas, considering the power and policy of the Romans, makes peace with them. 22 The condition of mutual friendship sent to the Jews.
JUDAS heard also the fame of the Romans, that they were mighty, and valiant, and agreeable to all things that were required of them, and made peace with all that came unto them,
And that they were men of great power, and they told him of their battles, and their worthy acts, which they did among the Galatians whom they had conquered, and made to pay tribute,
And what they had done in the country of Spain: how that they had won there the mines of silver and gold,
And that by their counsel, and gentle behavior they were rulers in every place, though the place was far from them, and that they had discomfited, and given great overthrows to the Kings that came against them, from the uttermost part of the earth, and that others gave them tribute every year,
How they had also discomfited by battle Philippe and Perses Kings of the Macedonias, and others, that rose against them, and how they overcame them,
And how great Antiochus King of Asia that came against them in battle, having an hundredth and twenty elephants, with horsemen, and chariots, and a very great army, was discomfited by them,
And how they took him alive, and ordained him, with such as should be reign after him, to pay a great tribute, and to give hostages, and a separate portion,
Even the country of India, and Media, and Lydia, and of his best countries, which they took of him and gave them to King Eumenes.
Again when it was told them that the Grecians were coming to destroy them,
They sent against them a captain, which gave them battle, and slew many of them, and took many prisoners with their wives, and children, and spoiled them, and conquered their land, and destroyed their strongholds, and subdued them to be their bondmen, unto this day:
Moreover, how they destroyed, and brought into subjection other kingdoms and isles, whosoever had withstood them:
But that they kept amity [friendship, peaceful harmony]* with their own friends, and those that stayed upon them: finally, that conquered kingdoms, both far and near, insomuch that whosoever heard of their renown, was afraid of them.
For whom they would help to their kingdoms, those reigned, and whom they would, they put down: thus were they in most high authority.
Yet for all this that none of them were a crown, neither was clothed in purple, to be magnified thereby,
But that they had ordained themselves a counsel, wherein three hundred and twenty men consulted daily, and provided for the common affairs, to govern them well,
And that they committed their government to one man every year, who did rule over all their country, to whom every man was obedient: and there was neither hatred nor envy among them.
Then Judas chose Eupolemus the son of Iohn, the son of Accus, and Iason, the son of Eleazar, and sent them unto Rome to make friendship, and mutual fellowship with them,
That they might take from them the yoke (for they saw that the kingdom of the Grecians would keep Israel in bondage)
So they went unto Rome, which was a very great journey, and came into the Senate where they spake and said,
Judas Maccabeus with his brethren, and the people of the Jews hath sent us unto you, to make a bond of friendship, and peace with you, and ye to register us as your partakers and friends.
And the matter pleased them.
And this is the copy of the epistle that they wrote in tables of brass and sent to Jerusalem, that they might have by them a memorial of the peace, and mutual fellowship.
Good success be to the Romans, and to the people of the jews, by sea, and by land for ever, and the sword, and enemy be from them.
If there come first any war upon the Romans, or any of their friends throughout all their dominion,
The people of the Jews shall help them, as the time shall be appointed, with all their heart,
Also they shall give nothing to them that come to fight for them, nor serve them with wheat nor weapons, nor money, nor ships as it pleases the Romans, but they shall keep their covenants without taking any thing of them..
Likewise also if war come first against the nation of the Jews, the Romans shall help them with a good will, according as the time shall be appointed them.
Neither shall wheat be given unto them, that take their part, nor weapons, nor money, nor ships, as it pleases the Romans, who will keep these covenants without deceit.
According to these articles the Romans made the bond with the people of the Jews.
If after these points the one party, or the other will add or diminish, they may do it, at their pleasures, and whatsoever they shall add, or take away, shall be ratified.
And as touching the evil that Demetrius hath done unto the Jews, we have written unto him, saying, Wherefore laid thou thine heavy yoke upon our friends, and confederates the Jews?
If therefore they complain any more against thee, we will do them justice, and fight with thee by sea and by land.
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