19. This is a copy of the letter that they sent to Onias:
20. King Arius of the Spartans.To the high priest Onias. Greetings!
21. It has been discovered in a written record that the Spartans and the Jews are relatives and are both of the family of Abraham.
22. Since we have learned this, please let us know how you are.
23. On our part, we write to let you know that what is yours—your livestock and property—belongs to us, and ours belongs to you. We therefore command that our envoys report to you in keeping with this.
24. Jonathan heard that Demetrius’ commanders had returned with a larger force than before to wage war against him.
25. So he marched away from Jerusalem and met them in the region of Hamath. He didn’t allow them any opportunity to invade his country.
26. He sent spies to their camp. They returned and reported to him that the enemy was lining up in battle formation to attack the Jews at night.
27. When the sun had set, Jonathan commanded his troops to be on alert. They were to keep their weapons at hand so they could be ready through the night for battle. He also stationed guard posts around the camp.
28. When the enemy heard that Jonathan and his troops were prepared for battle, they were extremely terrified. So they lit fires in their camp and retreated.
29. Jonathan and his troops didn’t know about this until morning because they saw the fires burning.
30. Then Jonathan tried to pursue them, but he couldn’t catch them since they had already crossed the Eleutherus River.
31. So Jonathan turned aside against the Arabs, who are called Zabadeans, and he crushed and plundered them.