1
Now when Jonathan saw that time served him, he chose certain men and sent them to Rome to confirm and renew the friendship that they had with the Romans.
2
He sent letters also to the Lacedemonians and to other places for the same purpose.
3
So they went unto Rome, and entered into the senate and said, Jonathan the high priest and the people of the Jews sent us unto you, to the end that you should renew the friendship and league which you had with them, as in former time.
4
Upon this the Romans gave them letters unto the governors of every place, that they should bring them into the land of Judea peaceably.
5
And this is the copy of the letter which Jonathan wrote to the Lacedemonians:
6
Jonathan the high priest and the elders of the nation and the priests, and the others of the Jews, unto the Lacedemonians their brethren send greeting:
7
There were letters sent in times past unto Onias the high priest from Arius, who reigned then among you, to signify that you are our brethren as the copy here underwritten doth specify.
8
At that time Onias treated the ambassador who was sent honorably, and received the letters wherein declaration was made of the league and friendship.
9
Therefore also albeit we need none of these things, for we have the holy books of Scripture in our hands to comfort us