15. The sanctuary he made splendidand multiplied its furnishings.
16. When people in Rome and even in Sparta heard that Jonathan had died, they were deeply grieved.
17. But when they heard that his brother Simon had become high priest in his place and was master of the territory and its cities,
18. they sent him inscribed tablets of bronze to renew with him the friendship and alliance that they had established with his brothers Judas and Jonathan.
19. These were read before the assembly in Jerusalem.
20. This is a copy of the letter that the Spartans sent: “The rulers and the city of the Spartans send greetings to Simon the high priest, the elders, the priests, and the rest of the Jewish people, our brothers.
21. The ambassadors sent to our people have informed us of your glory and renown, and we rejoiced at their coming.