19 Here is a copy of the letter King Arius wrote to Onias some time ago:
20 “King Arius of Sparta sends greetings to Onias the high priest.
21 “We have found a document that says Spartans and Jews are relatives because both nations descended from Abraham.
22 Now that I know this, I want you to write and tell me how you are doing.
23 I am writing to tell you that your livestock together with everything else you own belongs to us. And our livestock together with everything else we own belongs to you.“My messengers have orders to tell you about this.”
24 Jonathan found out that the officers of King Demetrius the Second were now ready to invade his country with a more powerful army than before.
25 Jonathan did not want the king's army to invade Jerusalem, so he led his troops to the region around Hamath, where he saw the enemy camp.