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they had washed their hands； （10） and purified themselves； they
betook themselves to the interpretation of the laws。 Now when the
law was transcribed； and the labor of interpretation was over；
which came to its conclusion in seventy…two days； Demetrius
gathered all the Jews together to the place where the laws were
translated； and where the interpreters were； and read them over。
The multitude did also approve of those elders that were the
interpreters of the law。 They withal commended Demetrius for his
proposal； as the inventor of what was greatly for their
happiness； and they desired that he would give leave to their
rulers also to read the law。 Moreover； they all； both the priest
and the ancientest of the elders； and the principal men of their
commonwealth； made it their request； that since the
interpretation was happily finished； it might continue in the
state it now was； and might not be altered。 And when they all
commended that determination of theirs； they enjoined； that if
any one observed either any thing superfluous； or any thing
omitted； that he would take a view of it again； and have it laid
before them； and corrected； which was a wise action of theirs；
that when the thing was judged to have been well done； it might
continue for ever。
14。 So the king rejoiced when he saw that his design of this
nature was brought to perfection； to so great advantage； and he
was chiefly delighted with hearing the Laws read to him； and was
astonished at the deep meaning and wisdom of the legislator。 And
he began to discourse with Demetrius； 〃How it came to pass； that
when this legislation was so wonderful； no one； either of the
poets or of the historians； had made mention of it。〃 Demetrius
made answer； 〃that no one durst be so bold as to touch upon the
description of these laws； because they were Divine and
venerable； and because some that had attempted it were afflicted
by God。〃 He also told him； that 〃Theopompus was desirous of
writing somewhat about them； but was thereupon disturbed in his
mind for above thirty days' time； and upon some intermission of
his distemper； he appeased God ＇by prayer＇； as suspecting that
his madness proceeded from that cause。〃 Nay； indeed； he further
saw in a dream； that his distemper befell him while he indulged
too great a curiosity about Divine matters； and was desirous of
publishing them among common men； but when he left off that
attempt； he recovered his understanding again。 Moreover； he
informed him of Theodectes； the tragic poet； concerning whom it
was reported； that when in a certain dramatic representation he
was desirous to make mention of things that were contained in the
sacred books； he was afflicted with a darkness in his eyes； and
that upon his being conscious of the occasion of his distemper；
and appeasing God ＇by prayer＇； he was freed from that affliction。
15。 And when the king had received these books from Demetrius； as
we have said already； he adored them； and gave order that great
care should be taken of them； that they might remain uncorrupted。
He also desired that the interpreters would come often to him out
of Judea； and that both on account of the respects that he would
pay them； and on account of the presents he would make them； for
he said it was now but just to send them away； although if； of
their own accord； they would come to him hereafter； they should
obtain all that their own wisdom might justly require； and what
his generosity was able to give them。 So he then sent them away；
and gave to every one of them three garments of the best sort；
and two talents of gold； and a cup of the value of one talent；
and the furniture of the room wherein they were feasted。 And
these were the things he presented to them。 But by them he sent
to Eleazar the high priest ten beds； with feet of silver； and the
furniture to them belonging； and a cup of the value of thirty
talents； and besides these； ten garments； and purple； and a very
beautiful crown； and a hundred pieces of the finest woven linen；
as also vials and dishes； and vessels for pouring； and two golden
cisterns to be dedicated to God。 He also desired him； by an
epistle； that he would give these interpreters leave； if any of
them were desirous of coming to him； because he highly valued a
conversation with men of such learning； and should be very
willing to lay out his wealth upon such men。 And this was what
came to the Jews； and was much to their glory and honor； from
Ptolemy Philadelphus。
CHAPTER 3。
How The Kings Of Asia Honored The Nation Of The Jews And Made
Them Citizens Of Those Cities Which They Built。
1。 The Jews also obtained honors from the kings of Asia when they
became their auxiliaries； for Seleucus Nicator made them citizens
in those cities which he built in Asia； and in the lower Syria；
and in the metropolis itself； Antioch； and gave them privileges
equal to those of the Macedonians and Greeks； who were the
inhabitants； insomuch that these privileges continue to this very
day： an argument for which you have in this； that whereas the
Jews do not make use of oil prepared by foreigners； （11） they
receive a certain sum of money from the proper officers belonging
to their exercises as the value of that oil； which money； when
the people of Antioch would have deprived them of； in the last
war； Mucianus； who was then president of Syria； preserved it to
them。 And when the people of Alexandria and of Antioch did after
that； at the time that Vespasian and Titus his son governed the
habitable earth； pray that these privileges of citizens might be
taken away； they did not obtain their request。 in which behavior
any one may discern the equity and generosity of the Romans； （12）
especially of Vespasian and Titus； who； although they had been at
a great deal of pains in the war against the Jews； and were
exasperated against them； because they did not deliver up their
weapons to them； but continued the war to the very last； yet did
not they take away any of their forementioned privileges
belonging to them as citizens； but restrained their anger； and
overcame the prayers of the Alexandrians and Antiochians； who
were a very powerful people； insomuch that they did not yield to
them； neither out of their favor to these people； nor out of
their old grudge at those whose wicked opposition they had
subdued in the war； nor would they alter any of the ancient
favors granted to the Jews； but said； that those who had borne
arms against them； and fought them； had suffered punishment
already； and that it was not just to deprive those that had not
offended of the privileges they enjoyed。
2。 We also know that Marcus Agrippa was of the like disposition
towards the Jews： for when the people of Ionia were very angry at
them； and besought Agrippa that they； and they only； might have
those privileges of citizens which Antiochus； the grandson of
Seleucus； （who by the Greeks was called The God；） had bestowed on
them； and desired that； if the Jews were to be joint…partakers
with them； they might be obliged to worship the gods they
themselves worshipped： but when these matters were brought to the
trial； the Jews prevailed； and obtained leave t