214 Epidemics. 



the rest of the people of the Jews, to the Spartans, their 

 brethren, greeting. 7 There were letters sent long ago to 

 Onias, the high priest, from Arius, who reigned then among 

 you, to signify that you are our brethren, as the copy here 

 underwritten doth specify. 8 And Onias received the 

 ambassador with honour : and received the letters wherein 

 there was mention made of the alliance and amity. 9 We, 

 though we needed none of these things, having for our 

 comfort the holy books that are in our hands, 10 Chose 

 rather to send to you to renew the brotherhood and friend- 

 ship, lest we should become strangers to you altogether : 

 for there is a long time passed since you sent to us. u We, 

 therefore, at all times without ceasing, both in our festivals, 

 and other days wherein it is convenient, remember you in 

 the sacrifices that we offer, and in our observances, as it is 

 meet and becoming to remember brethren. 12 And we 

 rejoice at your glory. 13 But we have had many troubles 

 and wars on every side ; and the kings that are round about 

 us have fought against us. 14 But we would not be trouble- 

 some to you, nor to the rest of our allies and friends, in 

 these wars. 15 For we have had help from heaven, and we 

 have been delivered, and our enemies are humbled. 16 We 

 have chosen, therefore, Numenius, the son of Antiochus, and 

 Antipater, the son of Jason, and have sent them to the 

 Romans, to renew with them the former amity and alliance. 

 17 And we have commanded them to go also to you, and to 

 salute you, and to deliver you our letters, concerning the 

 renewing of our brotherhood. 18 And now you shall do 

 well to give us an answer hereto. 19 And this is the copy 

 of the letter which he had sent to Onias : 20 Arius, king 

 of the Spartans, to Onias, the high priest, greeting. 21 It 

 is found in writing concerning the Spartans, and the Jews, 

 that they are brethren, and that they are of the stock of 

 Abraham. 22 And now, since this is come to our know- 

 ledge, you do well to write to us of your prosperity. 23 

 And we have also written back to you, That our cattle, 

 and our possessions, are yours : and yours, ours. We, 

 therefore, have commanded that these things should be 

 told you." 



II. MACHABEES, xv. 38 40. 



''38 So these things being done with relation to Nicanor, 

 and from that time the city being possessed by the Hebrews, 

 I also will here make an end of my narration. 39 Which 

 if I have done well, and as it becometh the history, it is 



