And Jonathan saw that the time served him, and he chose certain men, and sent them to Rome, to confirm and to renew the amity with them: 2And he sent letters to the Spartans, and to other places, according to the same form. 3And they went to Rome, and entered into the senate house, and said: Jonathan, the high priest, and the nation of the Jews, have sent us to renew the amity, and alliance, as it was before. 4And they gave them letters to their governors in every place, to conduct them into the land of Juda with peace. 5And this is a copy of the letters which Jonathan wrote to the Spartans: 6Jonathan, the high priest, and the ancients of the nation, and the priests, and the rest of the people of the Jews, to the Spartans, their brethren, greeting. 7There were letters sent long ago to Onias the high priest, from Arius, who reigned then among you to signify that you are our brethren, as the copy here underwritten doth specify. 8And Onias received the ambassador with honour and received the letters, wherein there was mention made of the alliance, and amity. 9We, though we needed none of these things having for our comfort the holy books that are in our hands, 10Chose rather to send to you to renew the brotherhood and friendship, lest we should become stranger to you altogether: for there is a long time passed since you sent to us. 11We, therefore, at all times without ceasing, both in our festivals, and other days wherein it is convenient, remember you in the sacrifices that we offer, and in our observances, as it is meet and becoming to remember brethren. 12And we rejoice at your glory. 13But we have had many troubles and wars on every side; and the kings that are round about us have fought against us. 14But we would not be troublesome to you, nor to the rest of our allies and friends, in these wars. 15For we have had help from heaven, and we have been delivered, and our enemies are humbled. 16We have chosen, therefore, Numenius the son of Antiochus, and Antipater, the son of Jason, and have sent them to the Romans, to renew with them the former amity and alliance. 17And we have commanded them to go also to you, and salute you, and to deliver you our letters, concerning the renewing of our brotherhood. 18And now you shall do well to give us an answer hereto. 19And this is the copy of the letter which he had sent to Onias: 20Arius, king of the Spartans, to Onias, the high priest, greeting. 21It is found in writing concerning the Spartans, and the Jews, that they are brethren, and that they are of the stock of Abraham. 22And now since this is come to our knowledge, you do well to write to us of your prosperity. 23And we also have written back to you, That our cattle, and our possessions, are yours: and yours, ours. We, therefore, have commanded that these things should be told you.