1. When Jonathan saw that the time was right, he chose men and sent them to Rome to confirm and renew the friendship with the Romans.
2. He also sent letters to the Spartans and other places to the same effect.
3. After reaching Rome, the men entered the senate chamber and said, “The high priest Jonathan and the Jewish people have sent us to renew the friendship and alliance of earlier times with them.”
4. The Romans gave them letters addressed to authorities in various places, with the request to provide them with safe conduct to the land of Judah.
5. This is a copy of the letter that Jonathan wrote to the Spartans:
6. “Jonathan the high priest, the senate of the nation, the priests, and the rest of the Jewish people send greetings to their brothers the Spartans.
7. Long ago a letter was sent to the high priest Onias from Arius, who then reigned over you, stating that you are our brothers, as the attached copy shows.
8. Onias welcomed the envoy with honor and received the letter, which spoke clearly of alliance and friendship.
9. Though we have no need of these things, since we have for our encouragement the holy books that are in our possession,