20
This is a copy of the letter that the Spartans sent: The rulers of the Spartans, with the city. To the high priest Simon, the elders, the priests, and the rest of the Jewish people, our brothers and sisters. Greetings!
21
The envoys who were sent to our people have told us about your glory and honor, and we rejoiced when they came.
22
We made this record in our public decrees concerning what they said: “Numenius, Antiochus' son, and Antipater, Jason's son, Jewish representatives, have come to renew their friendship with us.
23
Our people were pleased to receive them with respect and to maintain a copy of their words in the public archives so that Spartans may have a record of them. They have also sent a copy of this to Simon, the high priest.
24
Following this exchange, Simon sent Numenius to Rome with a large gold shield weighing one thousand manehs, to confirm the alliance with the Romans.