6. And he enlarged the boundaries of his nation, and he controlled the countryside.
7. And he gathered together many captives, and he was the ruler of Gazara and Bethzur, and the stronghold. And he took uncleanness away from it, and there was no one who could withstand him.
8. And each one cultivated his land in peace, and the land of Judah produced its fruits, and the trees of the fields their fruit.
9. All the elders sat in the streets, and they discussed what was good for the country, and the youths clothed themselves in glory and in the robes of war.
10. And he gave tributes of provisions to the cities, and he decreed that they would have equipment for fortification, so that the fame of his glory was renowned, even to the ends of the earth.
11. He caused there to be peace over the land, and Israel was rejoicing with great joy.
12. And each one sat under his vine and under his fig tree. And there was no one who would terrify them.
13. There was nothing left of those who might fight against them in the land; kings had been crushed in those days.
14. And he confirmed all the humble of his people, and he sought the law, and he took away every iniquity and evil.
15. He glorified the sanctuary, and he multiplied the vessels of the holy places.
16. And it was heard at Rome, and even in Sparta, that Jonathan had passed away. And they were very sorrowful.
17. But when they heard that Simon, his brother, had been made high priest in his place, and that he obtained the entire country and the cities in it,
18. they wrote to him on tablets of brass, so as to renew the friendship and alliance, which they had made with Judas and with Jonathan, his brothers.
19. And they were read in the sight of the assembly at Jerusalem. And this is a copy of the letters that the Spartans sent:
20. "The leaders and the cities of the Spartans, to Simon, the great priest, and to the elders, and the priests, and the rest of the people of the Jews, their brothers: greetings.
21. The ambassadors who were sent to our people have reported to us of your glory, and honor, and rejoicing. And we were glad at their arrival.