14. We were not minded therefore to be troublesome to you, and to the rest of our confederates and friends, in these wars;
15. for we have the help which is from heaven to help us, and we have been delivered from our enemies, and our enemies have been brought low.
16. We chose therefore Numenius the son of Antiochus, and Antipater the son of Jason, and have sent them to the Romans, to renew the friendship that we had with them, and the former confederacy.
17. We commanded them therefore to go also to you, and to salute you, and to deliver you our letters concerning the renewing of friendship and our brotherhood.
18. And now you⌃ shall do well if you⌃ give us an answer thereto.
19. And this is the copy of the letters which they sent to Onias:
20. Arius king of the Spartans to Onias the chief priest, greeting:
21. It has been found in writing, concerning the Spartans and the Jews, that they are brethren, and that they are of the stock of Abraham:
22. and now, since this is come to our knowledge, you⌃ shall do well to write to us of your prosperity.
23. And we moreover do write on our part to you, that your cattle and goods are ours, and ours are yours. We do command therefore that they make report to you on this wise.