And Numenius, and they that had been with him, came from the city of Rome, having letters written to the kings, and countries, the contents whereof were these: 16Lucius, the consul of the Romans, to king Ptolemee, greeting. 17The ambassadors of the Jews, our friends, came to us, to renew the former friendship and alliance, being sent from Simon, the high priest, and the people of the Jews. 18And they brought also a shield of gold of a thousand pounds. 19It hath seemed good therefore to us, to write to the kings and countries, that they should do them no harm, nor fight against them, their cities, or countries: and that they should give no aid to them that fight against them. 20And it hath seemed good to us to receive the shield of them. 21If, therefore, any pestilent men are fled out of their country to you, deliver them to Simon, the high priest, that he may punish them according to their law. 22These same things were written to king Demetrius, and to Attalus, and to Ariarathes, and to Arsaces, 23And to all the countries: and to Lampsacus and to the Spartans, and to Delus, and Myndus, and Sicyon, and Caria, and Samus, and Pamphylia, and Lycia, and Alicarnassus, and Cos, and Side, and Aradus, and Rhodes, and Phaselis, and Gortyna, and Gnidus, and Cyprus, and Cyrene. 24And they wrote a copy thereof to Simon, the high priest, and to the people of the Jews.