e 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 wisdo