1. When Jonathan felt that the time was favorable, he chose envoys and sent them to Rome in order to confirm and renew friendship with them.
2. He also sent letters in the same vein to the Spartans and to others.
3. The envoys went to Rome and entered the senate chamber. They said, "Jonathan the high priest and the Jewish nation have sent us to renew our former friendship and alliance."
4. The Romans provided letters for them to give to various people to ask them to assure the envoys safe passage back to Judah.
5. This is a copy of the letter that Jonathan wrote to the Spartans:
6. The high priest Jonathan, the senate of the nation, the priests, and the rest of the Jewish people. To their brothers the Spartans. Greetings!
7. In the past, your king Arius sent a letter to the high priest Onias, stating that you are our relatives as the appended copy shows.
8. Onias welcomed the envoy with honor and received the letter, which contained a clear declaration of alliance and friendship.
9. Generally, we have no need of these things, since we have the holy scrolls as encouragement.