15. He provided the Temple with splendid furnishings and added a large number of utensils for use in worship.
16. When the news that Jonathan had died reached Rome and Sparta, it brought great sorrow.
17. But when the Spartans heard that Simon had succeeded his brother as High Priest and that he was in control of the country and its towns,
18. they engraved on bronze tablets a renewal of the treaty of friendship which they had made with his brothers Judas and Jonathan and sent the tablets to him.
19. These were read to the assembly in Jerusalem.
20. What follows is a copy of the letter sent by the Spartans:“The people of Sparta and their rulers to Simon the High Priest, to the leaders and the priests of the Jews, and to all our Jewish brothers, greetings.
21. The delegation that you sent to our people has told us how respected and renowned you are. Their visit had been a source of joy for us,