15. for we have the help which is from heaven to help us, and we have been delivered from our enemies, and our enemies have been brought low.
16. We chose therefore Numenius the son of Antiochus, and Antipater the son of Jason, and have sent them to the Romans, to renew the friendship that we had with them, and the former confederacy.
17. We commanded them therefore to go also to you, and to salute you, and to deliver you our letters concerning the renewing of friendship and our brotherhood.
18. And now you⌃ shall do well if you⌃ give us an answer thereto.
19. And this is the copy of the letters which they sent to Onias:
20. Arius king of the Spartans to Onias the chief priest, greeting:
21. It has been found in writing, concerning the Spartans and the Jews, that they are brethren, and that they are of the stock of Abraham:
22. and now, since this is come to our knowledge, you⌃ shall do well to write to us of your prosperity.
23. And we moreover do write on our part to you, that your cattle and goods are ours, and ours are yours. We do command therefore that they make report to you on this wise.
24. And Jonathan heard that Demetrius’ princes were returned to fight against him with a greater host than before,
25. and he removed from Jerusalem, and met them in the country of Hamath; for he gave them no respite to set foot in his country.
26. And he sent spies into his camp, and they came again, and reported to him that they were appointed in such and such a way to fall upon them in the night season.
27. But as soon as the sun was down, Jonathan commanded his men to watch, and to be in arms, that all the night long they might be ready for battle: and he put forth sentinels round about the camp.
28. And the adversaries heard that Jonathan and his men were ready for battle, and they feared, and trembled in their hearts, and they kindled fires in their camp
29. But Jonathan and his men knew it not till the morning; for they saw the lights burning.
30. And Jonathan pursued after them, and overtook them not; for they were gone over the river Eleutherus.
31. And Jonathan turned aside to the Arabians, who are called Zabadaeans, and struck them, and took their spoils.