12
And we are right glad of your honour.
13
As for ourselves, we have had great troubles and wars on every side, forsomuch as the kings that are round about us have fought against us.
14
Howbeit we would not be troublesome unto you, nor to others of our confederates and friends, in these wars:
15
For we have help from heaven that succoureth us, so as we are delivered from our enemies, and our enemies are brought under foot.
16
For this cause we chose Numenius the son of Antiochus, and Antipater he son of Jason, and sent them unto the Romans, to renew the amity that we had with them, and the former league.
17
We commanded them also to go unto you, and to salute and to deliver you our letters concerning the renewing of our brotherhood.
18
Wherefore now ye shall do well to give us an answer thereto.
19
And this is the copy of the letters which Oniares sent.
20
Areus king of the Lacedemonians to Onias the high priest, greeting:
21
It is found in writing, that the Lacedemonians and Jews are brethren, and that they are of the stock of Abraham:
22
Now therefore, since this is come to our knowledge, ye shall do well to write unto us of your prosperity.