14. While he surrounded the city, his ships closed from the sea, so that he pressed it hard by land and sea and let no one go in or out.
15. Meanwhile, Numenius and his companions came from Rome with letters containing this message to various kings and countries:
16. “Lucius, Consul of the Romans, sends greetings to King Ptolemy.
17. Ambassadors of the Jews, our friends and allies, have come to us to renew their earlier friendship and alliance. They had been sent by Simon the high priest and the Jewish people,
18. and they brought with them a gold shield of a thousand minas.
19. Therefore we have decided to write to various kings and countries, that they are not to venture to harm them, or wage war against them or their cities or their country, and are not to assist those who fight against them.
20. We have also decided to accept the shield from them.
21. If, then, any troublemakers from their country take refuge with you, hand them over to Simon the high priest, so that he may punish them according to their law.”