6. The high priest Jonathan, the senate of the nation, the priests, and the rest of the Jewish people. To their brothers the Spartans. Greetings!
7. In the past, your king Arius sent a letter to the high priest Onias, stating that you are our relatives as the appended copy shows.
8. Onias welcomed the envoy with honor and received the letter, which contained a clear declaration of alliance and friendship.
9. Generally, we have no need of these things, since we have the holy scrolls as encouragement.
10. Yet we have desired to renew our family ties and friendship with you so that we may not become estranged from you, because considerable time has passed since you sent your letter to us.
11. We remember you constantly on every occasion—at our festivals and on other appropriate days, at the sacrifices that we offer, and in our prayers—as it is right and proper to remember relatives.
12. Furthermore, we rejoice at your success.
13. As for us, we have experienced many trials and many wars. The kings around us have waged war against us.