1When the impious one understood these things, he became so enraged that he was not only angry with those in Alexandria but also opposed those in the country more severely. He ordered that they all be gathered together at once and be put to death by a most wretched fate.
2While these things were being arranged, a hostile rumor was spread against the nation by men conspiring to do evil. An opportunity for slander was provided, on the grounds that their laws were hindering them.
3But the Jews had been maintaining unswerving goodwill and loyalty toward the kings.
4But by worshipping God and living according to his law, they made a separation in matters of food. For this reason, they seemed hateful to some.
5But by adorning their interactions with righteous and good conduct, they had become well-regarded by all people.
6So then, the foreigners in no way took into account the good conduct of the nation, which was spoken of among all.
7But they gossiped about the separation concerning worship and foods, alleging that these people were allies neither to the king nor to his authorities, but were hostile and greatly opposed to the affairs of state; and they stirred up no ordinary fear.
8But the Greeks in the city, though they had been wronged in no way, seeing the unexpected turmoil concerning these men and the unprovoked gatherings against them, were not strong enough to help—for the policy was tyrannical. But they offered encouragement, were distressed, and expected that these things would change.
9For they thought that so great a community, innocent of any wrongdoing, would not be overlooked in this way.
10And already some neighbors, friends, and business partners were secretly taking some of them aside, giving pledges to stand with them and to offer every earnest effort for their aid.
11So he, exulting in his present prosperity and not seeing the power of the most high God, and supposing that he would remain continually in the same intention, wrote this letter against them:
12King Ptolemy Philopator to the commanders and soldiers throughout Egypt and the region, greetings and good health.
13I myself am in good health, as are our affairs.
14Since our campaign into Asia, of which you yourselves also know, was brought to a successful conclusion by the unfailing alliance of the gods,
15we decided not by force of the spear, but with clemency and great benevolence, to cherish the nations inhabiting Coele-Syria and Phoenicia, gladly treating them well.
16And having assigned very great revenues to the temples in the various cities, we also went up to Jerusalem to honor the temple of those sinners who never cease from their folly.
17But they, welcoming our presence in word but insincerely in deed, when we were eager to enter their temple and honor it with magnificent and most beautiful offerings,
18carried away by their ancient arrogance, they prevented us from entering, being spared our might because of the benevolence we have toward all people.
19They make their hostility toward us manifest, for as the most isolated of the nations, they are stiff-necked toward kings and their own benefactors and are unwilling to show any genuine goodwill.
20But we, bearing with their folly, returned victorious to Egypt and treated all the nations with benevolence, acting as was fitting.
21In addition to this, making known to all our lack of resentment toward their fellow countrymen—both because of their alliance and the countless affairs sincerely entrusted to them from the beginning—we wished to alter their status, to deem them worthy of Alexandrian citizenship, and to make them participants in the regular priesthoods.
22But they, taking it in the opposite way, and with their inborn malevolence rejecting what is good, and continually inclining toward evil,
23not only spurned the priceless citizenship, but also detest, both in word and in silence, the few among them who are genuinely disposed toward us, always suspecting through their most infamous way of life that we will quickly overturn their institutions.
24Therefore, being well convinced by the evidence that these people are ill-disposed toward us in every way, and taking forethought lest at some time, should a sudden turmoil arise, we should have these impious people as traitors and barbarian enemies at our back,
25we have commanded that as soon as this letter arrives, you are to immediately send the inhabitants, with their wives and children, to us with insolence and torment, completely bound in iron chains, for an incurable and infamous slaughter befitting hostile people.
26For we have concluded that when these have been punished together, our affairs will for the remaining time be established in perfect stability and in the best condition.
27Whoever shelters any of the Jews, from the old to the young, even nursing infants, will be tortured to death with the most hateful torments, along with his whole household.
28Anyone who wishes is to give information, on the condition that he will receive the property of the one who is found guilty, as well as two thousand drachmas from the royal treasury, and he will be crowned with freedom.
29And every place where any Jew at all is found being sheltered, let it become inaccessible and burned with fire, and let it be made completely useless to every mortal creature for all time.
30Such was the content of the letter that was written.
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