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more indefatigably kept close to the work。
11。 And these were what gifts were sent by Ptolemy to Jerusalem；
and dedicated to God there。 But when Eleazar the high priest had
devoted them to God； and had paid due respect to those that
brought them； and had given them presents to be carried to the
king； he dismissed them。 And when they were come to Alexandria；
and Ptolemy heard that they were come；and that the seventy elders
were come also； he presently sent for Andreas and Aristens； his
ambassadors； who came to him； and delivered him the epistle which
they brought him from the high priest； and made answer to all the
questions he put to them by word of mouth。 He then made haste to
meet the elders that came from Jerusalem for the interpretation
of the laws； and he gave command； that every body who came on
other occasions should be sent away； which was a thing
surprising； and what he did not use to do； for those that were
drawn thither upon such occasions used to come to him on the
fifth day； but ambassadors at the month's end。 But when he had
sent those away； he waited for these that were sent by Eleazar；
but as the old men came in with the presents； which the high
priest had given them to bring to the king； and with the
membranes； upon which they had their laws written in golden
letters （7） he put questions to them concerning those books； and
when they had taken off the covers wherein they were wrapt up；
they showed him the membranes。 So the king stood admiring the
thinness of those membranes； and the exactness of the junctures；
which could not be perceived； （so exactly were they connected one
with another；） and this he did for a considerable time。 He then
said that he returned them thanks for coming to him； and still
greater thanks to him that sent them； and； above all； to that God
whose laws they appeared to be。 Then did the elders； and those
that were present with them； cry out with one voice； and wished
all happiness to the king。 Upon which he fell into tears by the
violence of the pleasure he had； it being natural to men to
afford the same indications in great joy that they do under
sorrows。 And when he had bid them deliver the books to those that
were appointed to receive them； he saluted the men； and said that
it was but just to discourse； in the first place； of the errand
they were sent about； and then to address himself to themselves。
He promised； however； that he would make this day on which they
came to him remarkable and eminent every year through the whole
course of his life； for their coming to him； and the victory
which he gained over Antigonus by sea； proved to be on the very
same day。 He also gave orders that they should sup with him； and
gave it in charge that they should have excellent lodgings
provided for them in the upper part of the city。
12。 Now he that was appointed to take care of the reception of
strangers； Nicanor by name； called for Dorotheus； whose duty it
was to make provision for them； and bid him prepare for every one
of them what should be requisite for their diet and way of
living； which thing was ordered by the king after this manner： he
took care that those that belonged to every city； which did not
use the same way of living； that all things should be prepared
for them according to the custom of those that came to him； that；
being feasted according to the usual method of their own way of
living； they might be the better pleased； and might not be uneasy
at any thing done to them from which they were naturally averse。
And this was now done in the case of these men by Dorotheus； who
was put into this office because of his great skill in such
matters belonging to common life； for he took care of all such
matters as concerned the reception of strangers； and appointed
them double seats for them to sit on； according as the king had
commanded him to do； for he had commanded that half of their
seats should be set at his right hand； and the other half behind
his table； and took care that no respect should be omitted that
could be shown them。 And when they were thus set down； he bid
Dorotheus to minister to all those that were come to him from
Judea； after the manner they used to be ministered to； for which
cause he sent away their sacred heralds； and those that slew the
sacrifices； and the rest that used to say grace； but called to
one of those that were come to him； whose name was Eleazar； who w
a priest； and desired him to say grace； （8） who then stood in the
midst of them； and prayed； that all prosperity might attend the
king； and those that were his subjects。 Upon which an acclamation
was made by the whole company； with joy and a great noise； and
when that。 was over； they fell to eating their supper； and to the
enjoyment of what was set before them。 And at a little interval
afterward； when the king thought a sufficient time had been
interposed； he began to talk philosophically to them； and he
asked every one of them a philosophical question （9） and such a
one as might give light in those inquiries； and when they had
explained all the problems that had been proposed by the king
about every point； he was well…pleased with their answers。 This
took up the twelve days in which they were treated； and he that
pleases may learn the particular questions in that book of
Aristeus； which he wrote on this very occasion。
13。 And while not the king only； but the philosopher Menedemus
also； admired them； and said that all things were governed by
Providence； and that it was probable that thence it was that such
force or beauty was discovered in these men's words； they then
left off asking any more such questions。 But the king said that
he had gained very great advantages by their coming； for that he
had received this profit from them； that he had learned how he
ought to rule his subjects。 And he gave order that they should
have every one three talents given them； and that those that were
to conduct them to their lodging should do it。 Accordingly； when
three days were over； Demetrius took them； and went over the
causeway seven furlongs long： it was a bank in the sea to an
island。 And when they had gone over the bridge； he proceeded to
the northern parts； and showed them where they should meet； which
was in a house that was built near the shore； and was a quiet
place； and fit for their discoursing together about their work。
When he had brought them thither； he entreated them （now they had
all things about them which they wanted for the interpretation of
their law） that they would suffer nothing to interrupt them in
their work。 Accordingly； they made an accurate interpretation；
with great zeal and great pains； and this they continued to do
till the ninth hour of the day； after which time they relaxed；
and took care of their body； while their food was provided for
them in great plenty： besides； Dorotheus； at the king's command；
brought them a great deal of what was provided for the king
himself。 But in the morning they came to the court and saluted
Ptolemy； and then went away to their former place； where； when
they had washed their hands； （10） and purified themselves； they
betook themselves to the interpre