Letter from Jonathan on Behalf of the Gerousia to the Lacedaemonians (Spartans)

The [Roman] Gerousia then confirmed what had been formerly decreed concerning their friendship with the Jews and gave them letters to convey to all the kings of Asia and Europe, and to the governors of the cities, that they might safely bring them to their own country. Accordingly, as they returned, they came to Sparta and delivered to them the letter that they had received from Jonathan, a copy of which here follows:

“Jonathan the high priest of the Jewish people, and the Gerousia, and the council of priests, to the ephori,¹ Gerousia, and people of the Lacedaemonians, send greeting. If you are well and both your public and private affairs are agreeable to your mind, it is as we wish. We are well also. When in former times a letter was brought to Onias, who was then our high priest, from Areus, who at that time was your king, by Demoteles concerning the kindred that was between us and you, a copy of which is here subjoined, we both joyfully received the letter and were well pleased with Demoteles and Areus, although we did not need such a demonstration, because we were satisfied about it from the sacred writings, yet we did not think it fit first to begin the claim of this relation to you, lest we seem too early in taking for ourselves the glory that is now given us by you. It is a long time since this relation of ours to you has been renewed, and when we, on holy and festival days, offer sacrifices to God, we pray to him for your preservation and victory. As for ourselves, although we have been involved in many wars because of the covetousness of our neighbors, we decided not to be troublesome either to you or to others that were related to us, but since we have now overcome our enemies and have occasion to send Numenius the son of Antiochus and Antipater the son of Jason, who are both honorable men belonging to our Gerousia, to the Romans, we gave them this letter to you also, that they might renew that friendship which is between us.”