31 Now Trufon deceived the young King Antiokos (Antiochus) and killed him, 32 and reigned in his place. He put on himself the crown of Asia and brought a great calamity upon the land. 33 Shim’on built up the strongholds of Yehudah (Judea), and walled them all around with high towers, great walls, gates, and bars; and he stored food in the strongholds. 34 Shim’on chose men, and sent to King Demetrios with a request that he grant the country an immunity, because all that Trufon did was to plunder. 35 King Demetrios sent to him according to these words, and answered him, and wrote a letter to him, as follows:

36 “King Demetrios to Shim’on the high priest and friend[fn] of kings, and to the elders and nation of the Yehudim (Jews), greetings. 37 The golden crown and the palm branch, which you sent, we have received. We are ready to make a steadfast peace with you, yes, and to write to our officers to release you from tribute. 38 Whatever things we confirmed to you, they are confirmed. The strongholds, which you have built, let them be your own. 39 As for any oversights and faults committed to this day, we forgive them, and the crown tax which you owed us. If there were any other tax collected in Yerushalem (Jerusalem), let it be collected no longer. 40 If any amongst you are qualified to be enrolled in our court, let them be enrolled, and let there be peace between us.”

41 In the one hundred seventieth year,[fn] the yoke of the Gentiles was taken away from Yisrael (Israel). 42 The people began to write in their instruments and contracts, “In the first year of Shim’on, the great high priest and captain and leader of the Yehudim.”