1 Maccabees 12:1-23

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

Alliances with Rome and Sparta

12 Now when Jonathan saw that the time was favorable for him, he chose men and sent them to Rome to confirm and renew the friendship with them.^{(A) 2} He also sent letters to the same effect to the Spartans and to other places.^{(B) 3} So they went to Rome and entered the senate chamber and said, “The high priest Jonathan and the Jewish nation have sent us to renew the former friendship and alliance with them.”^{(C) 4} And the Romans^[a] gave them letters to the people in every place, asking them to provide for the envoys^[b] safe conduct to the land of Judah.

⁵ This is a copy of the letter that Jonathan wrote to the Spartans: ⁶ “The high priest Jonathan, the council of the nation, the priests, and the rest of the Jewish people to their brothers the Spartans, greetings.^{(D) 7} Already in time past a letter was sent to the high priest Onias from Arius, who was king among you, stating that you are our brothers, as the appended copy shows.^{(E) 8} Onias welcomed the envoy with honor and received the letter, which contained a clear declaration of alliance and friendship.^{(F) 9} Therefore, though we have no need of these things, since we have as encouragement the holy books that are in our hands,^{(G) 10} we have undertaken to send to renew our family ties and friendship with you, so that we may not become estranged from you, for considerable time has passed since you sent your letter to us. ¹¹ We therefore remember you constantly on every occasion, both at our festivals and on other appropriate days, at the sacrifices that we offer and in our prayers, as it is right and proper to remember brothers. ¹² And we rejoice in your glory. ¹³ But as for ourselves, many trials and many wars have encircled us; the kings around us have waged war against us. ¹⁴ We were unwilling to trouble you and our other allies and friends with these wars, ¹⁵ for we have the help that comes from heaven for our aid, so we were delivered from our enemies, and our enemies were humbled.^{(H) 16} We therefore have chosen Numenius son of Antiochus and Antipater son of Jason and have sent them to Rome to renew our former friendship and alliance with them.^{(I) 17} We have commanded them to go also to you and greet you and deliver to you this letter from us concerning the renewal of our family ties. ¹⁸ And now please send us a reply to this.”

¹⁹ This is a copy of the letter that they sent to Onias:^{(J) 20} “King Arius of the Spartans, to the high priest Onias, greetings.^{(K) 21} It has been found in writing concerning the Spartans and the Jews that they are brothers and are of the family of Abraham.^{(L) 22} And now that we have learned this, please write us concerning your welfare; ²³ we on our part write to you that your livestock and your property belong to us, and ours belong to you. We therefore command that our envoys^[c] report to you accordingly.”^(M)