1 When Jonathan felt that the time was favorable, he chose envoys and sent them to Rome in order to confirm and renew friendship with them.
2 He also sent letters in the same vein to the Spartans and to others.
3 The envoys went to Rome and entered the senate chamber. They said, "Jonathan the high priest and the Jewish nation have sent us to renew our former friendship and alliance."
4 The Romans provided letters for them to give to various people to ask them to assure the envoys safe passage back to Judah.
5 This is a copy of the letter that Jonathan wrote to the Spartans:
6 The high priest Jonathan, the senate of the nation, the priests, and the rest of the Jewish people. To their brothers the Spartans. Greetings!
7 In the past, your king Arius sent a letter to the high priest Onias, stating that you are our relatives as the appended copy shows.