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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 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 the