13. and there ceased in the land any that fought against them: and the kings were discomfited in those days.
14. And he strengthened all those of his people that were brought low: the law he searched out, and every lawless and wicked person he took away.
15. He glorified the sanctuary, and the vessels of the temple he multiplied.
16. And it was heard at Rome that Jonathan was dead, and even to Sparta, and they were exceeding sorry.
17. But as soon as they heard that his brother Simon was made high priest in his stead, and ruled the country, and the cities therein,
18. they wrote to him on tables of brass, to renew with him the friendship and the confederacy which they had confirmed with Judas and Jonathan his brethren;
19. and they were read before the congregation at Jerusalem.
20. And this is the copy of the letters which the Spartans sent: The rulers of the Spartans, and the city, to Simon the high priest, and to the elders, and the priests, and the residue of the people of the Jews, our brethren, greeting: