1 Maccabees 12:9-19

9 Therefore, though we have no need of these things, since we have as encouragement the holy books that are in our hands,
10 we have undertaken to send to renew our family ties and friendship with you, so that we may not become estranged from you, for considerable time has passed since you sent your letter to us.
11 We therefore remember you constantly on every occasion, both at our festivals and on other appropriate days, at the sacrifices that we offer and in our prayers, as it is right and proper to remember brothers.
12 And we rejoice in your glory.
13 But as for ourselves, many trials and many wars have encircled us; the kings around us have waged war against us.
14 We were unwilling to annoy you and our other allies and friends with these wars,
15 for we have the help that comes from Heaven for our aid, and so we were delivered from our enemies, and our enemies were humbled.
16 We therefore have chosen Numenius son of Antiochus and Antipater son of Jason, and have sent them to Rome to renew our former friendship and alliance with them.
17 We have commanded them to go also to you and greet you and deliver to you this letter from us concerning the renewal of our family ties.
18 And now please send us a reply to this."
19 This is a copy of the letter that they sent to Onias:
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.