1 Maccabees 8 — Greek text and reception

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Judas heard the reputation of the Romans: that they were mighty in strength, that they looked favorably on all who joined them, that they established friendship with whoever approached them, and that they were mighty in strength.

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They recounted to him their wars, the brave deeds they were doing among the Galatians, and how they had subdued them and brought them under tribute;

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also what they had done in the country of Spain to gain control of the silver and gold mines there.

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By their counsel and perseverance they had gained control of the whole region, although it was very far from them. They had also overcome the kings who came against them from the end of the earth, crushing them and striking them a great blow; the survivors paid them tribute every year.

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They had crushed in battle Philip, Perseus king of the Kittians, and those who rose against them, and had subdued them.

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Antiochus the Great, king of Asia, had marched against them for battle with a hundred and twenty elephants, cavalry, chariots, and an exceedingly large force, but he was crushed by them.

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They took him alive and required him and those reigning after him to pay a great tribute, give hostages, and make a territorial settlement,

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including the country of India, Media, and Lydia, some of their finest regions. They took them from him and gave them to King Eumenes.

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They also heard that the people of Greece had resolved to come and destroy them.

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The Romans learned the plan and sent one general against them. They fought them, and many fell wounded; they took their wives and children captive, plundered them, subdued their land, demolished their strongholds, and enslaved them to this day.

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The remaining kingdoms and islands, as many as ever resisted them, they destroyed and enslaved. But with their friends and those who relied on them they maintained friendship.

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They subdued kings near and far, and all who heard their name feared them.

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Those whom they wish to help and to reign do reign; those whom they wish they remove. They have been greatly exalted.

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Yet in all these things not one of them has put on a diadem or clothed himself in purple to magnify himself by it.

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They made a council chamber for themselves, and every day three hundred and twenty men deliberated, continually taking counsel concerning the people so that they might be well ordered.

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Each year they entrust one man to rule them and govern their whole land. All obey the one, and there is no envy or rivalry among them.

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

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and to remove the yoke from them, because they saw the kingdom of the Greeks enslaving Israel in servitude.

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They went to Rome, a very long journey, entered the council chamber, and spoke, saying,

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“Judas, also called Maccabeus, his brothers, and the people of the Jews have sent us to you to establish an alliance and peace with you, and to have us enrolled as your allies and friends.”

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The proposal pleased them.

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This is the copy of the letter they inscribed on bronze tablets and sent to Jerusalem to remain there with them as a memorial of peace and alliance:

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“May it be well with the Romans and the nation of the Jews on sea and on dry land forever, and may sword and enemy be far from them.

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If war comes first upon Rome or upon any of their allies throughout their whole dominion,

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the nation of the Jews shall fight alongside them wholeheartedly, as circumstances prescribe for them.

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They shall neither give nor supply grain, weapons, money, or ships to those making war, as Rome has decided. They shall keep their obligations, receiving nothing.

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Likewise, if war comes first upon the nation of the Jews, the Romans shall fight alongside them with all their soul, as circumstances prescribe for them.

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To those acting as allies, grain, weapons, money, and ships shall not be given, as Rome has decided. They shall keep these obligations without deceit.

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On these terms the Romans thus established an agreement with the Jewish people.

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If after these terms both parties decide to add or remove anything, they shall do so by their own choice; whatever they add or remove shall be binding.

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Concerning the evils that King Demetrius is committing against them, we have written to him, saying, ‘Why have you made your yoke heavy upon our friends and allies, the Jews?

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If, therefore, they appeal against you again, we will give judgment for them and make war on you by sea and by land.’”