22 The details of their visit are in our record books, which say:“The Jews sent Numenius and Antipater to us as messengers to make sure that we were on friendly terms.
23 We Spartans gladly welcomed these men and honored them. Moreover, we placed a copy of their message in the public building where all our record books are kept. We have also sent a copy to Simon the high priest, telling what we have done.”
24 After the Jews had finished their meeting, Simon sent Numenius to Rome to make certain that the Romans were still their allies. Numenius took them a heavy gold shield that weighed almost 570 kilograms.
25 When the people found out what Simon was doing, they said, “How can we repay Simon and his descendants?
26 He and his brothers and the rest of his father's family have been strong; they have defeated our enemies and set us free.”The people wrote on sheets of bronze the things Simon had done, then they fastened the sheets to stone columns on Mount Zion.
27-28 This is what they wrote:After Simon the great high priest had ruled for three years in Asaramel, our priests, rulers, and leaders held an important meeting on the eighteenth day of the month of Elul in the year 172 of the Syrian Kingdom. This is what we were told:
29 “Simon the son of Mattathias was a priest from Joarib's family. He and his brothers risked their lives and fought back whenever our enemies attacked us. They protected our temple and the Law of Moses, and they made us famous.