13
There was none left in the land to fight against them: kings were discomfited in those days.
14
And he strengthened all those of his people that were brought low, and he sought the law, and took away every unjust and wicked man.
15
He glorified the sanctuary, and multiplied the vessels of the holy places.
16
And it was heard at Rome, and as far as Sparta, that Jonathan was dead: and they were very sorry.
17
But when they heard that Simon his brother was made high priest in his place, and was possessed of all the country, and the cities therein:
18
They wrote to him in tables of brass, to renew the friendship and alliance which they had made with Judas, and with Jonathan his brethren.
19
And they were read before the assembly in Jerusalem. And this is the copy of the letters that the Spartans sent.
20
The princes and the cities of the Spartans to Simon the high priest, and to the ancients, and the priests, and the rest of the people of the Jews their brethren, greeting.
21
The ambassadors that were sent to our people, have told us of your glory, and honour, and joy: and we rejoice at their coming.
22
And we registered what was said by them in the councils of the people in this manner: Numenius the son of Antiochus, and Antipater the son of Jason, ambassadors of the Jews, came to us to renew the former friendship with us.
23
And it pleased the people to receive the men honourably, and to put a copy of their words in the public records, to be a memorial to the people of the Spartans. And we have written a copy of them to Simon the high priest.