1Maccabees:8

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* Now Judas had heard of the the Romans , that they were mighty and valiant men , and such as would lovingly accept all that joined themselves unto them , and make a league of amity with all that came unto them ; * And that they were men of great valour . It was told him also of their wars and noble acts which they had done among the Galatians , and how they had conquered them , and brought them under tribute ; * And what they had done in the country of Spain , for the winning of the mines of the silver and gold which is there ; * And that by their policy and patience they had conquered all the place , though it were very far from them ; and the kings also that came against them from the uttermost part of the earth , till they had discomfited them , and given them a great overthrow , so that the rest did give them tribute every year : * Beside this , how they had discomfited in battle Philip , and Perseus , king of the Citims , with others that lifted up themselves against them , and had overcome them : * How also Antiochus the great king of Asia , that came against them in battle , having an hundred and twenty elephants , with horsemen , and chariots , and a very great army , was discomfited by them ; * And how they took him alive , and covenanted that he and such as reigned after him should pay a great tribute , and give hostages , and that which was agreed upon , * And the country of India , and Media and Lydia and of the goodliest countries , which they took of him , and gave to king Eumenes : * Moreover how the Grecians had determined to come and destroy them ; * And that they , having knowledge thereof sent against them a certain captain , and fighting with them slew many of them , and carried away captives their wives and their children , and spoiled them , and took possession of their lands , and pulled down their strong holds , and brought them to be their servants unto this day : * It was told him besides , how they destroyed and brought under their dominion all other kingdoms and isles that at any time resisted them ; * But with their friends and such as relied upon them they kept amity : and that they had conquered kingdoms both far and nigh , insomuch as all that heard of their name were afraid of them : * Also that , whom they would help to a kingdom , those reign ; and whom again they would , they displace : finally , that they were greatly exalted : * Yet for all this none of them wore a crown or was clothed in purple , to be magnified thereby : * Moreover how they had made for themselves a senate house , wherein three hundred and twenty men sat in council daily , consulting alway for the people , to the end they might be well ordered : * And that they committed their government to one man every year , who ruled over all their country , and that all were obedient to that one , and that there was neither envy nor emmulation among them . * In consideration of these things , Judas chose Eupolemus the son of John , the son of Accos , and Jason the son of Eleazar , and sent them to Rome , to make a league of amity and confederacy with them , * And to intreat them that they would take the yoke from them ; for they saw that the kingdom of the Grecians did oppress Israel with servitude . * They went therefore to 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 , have sent us unto you , to make a confederacy and peace with you , and that we might be registered your confederates and friends . * So that matter pleased the Romans well . * And this is the copy of the epistle which the senate wrote back again in tables of brass , and sent to Jerusalem , that there they might have by them a memorial of peace and confederacy : * Good success be to the Romans , and to the people of the Jews , by sea and by land for ever : the sword also and enemy be far from them , * If there come first any war upon the Romans or any of their confederates throughout all their dominion , * The people of the Jews shall help them , as the time shall be appointed , with all their heart : * Neither shall they give any thing unto them that make war upon them , or aid them with victuals , weapons , money , or ships , as it hath seemed good unto the Romans ; but they shall keep their covenants without taking any thing therefore . * In the same manner also , if war come first upon the nation of the Jews , the Romans shall help them with all their heart , according as the time shall be appointed them : * Neither shall victuals be given to them that take part against them , or weapons , or money , or ships , as it hath seemed good to the Romans ; but they shall keep their covenants , and that without deceit . * According to these articles did the Romans make a covenant with the people of the Jews . * Howbeit if hereafter the one party or the other shall think to meet to add or diminish any thing , they may do it at their pleasures , and whatsoever they shall add or take away shall be ratified . * And as touching the evils that Demetrius doeth to the Jews , we have written unto him , saying , Wherefore thou made thy yoke heavy 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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