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:
21. The ambassadors that were sent to our people made report to us of your glory and honor: and we were glad for their coming,