3
The envoys went to Rome and entered the senate chamber. They said, "Jonathan the high priest and the Jewish nation have sent us to renew our former friendship and alliance."
4
The Romans provided letters for them to give to various people to ask them to assure the envoys safe passage back to Judah.
5
This is a copy of the letter that Jonathan wrote to the Spartans:
6
The high priest Jonathan, the senate of the nation, the priests, and the rest of the Jewish people. To their brothers the Spartans. Greetings!
7
In the past, your king Arius sent a letter to the high priest Onias, stating that you are our relatives as the appended copy shows.