1
Now when Jonathan saw that time served him, he chose certain men, and sent them to Rome, for to confirm and renew the friendship that they had with them.
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 ye should renew the friendship, which ye had with them, and league, 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 letters which Jonathan wrote to the Lacedemonians:
6
Jonathan the high priest, and the elders of the nation, and the priests, and the other of the Jews, unto the Lacedemonians their brethren send greeting:
7
There were letters sent in times past unto Onias the high priest from Darius, who reigned then among you, to signify that ye are our brethren, as the copy here underwritten doth specify.
8
At which time Onias entreated the ambassador that was sent honourably, and received the letters, wherein declaration was made of the league and friendship.