²⁰ “King Arius of the Spartans, to the high priest Onias, greetings.^{(A) 21} It has been found in writing concerning the Spartans and the Jews that they are brothers and are of the family of Abraham.^{(B) 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^[a] report to you accordingly.”^(C)

Simon Son of Onias

²⁰ This is a copy of the letter that the Spartans sent:

“The rulers and the city of the Spartans to the high priest Simon and to the elders and the priests and the rest of the Jewish people, our brothers, greetings.^(A)

⁹ There he who had driven many from their own country into exile died in exile, having embarked to go to the Spartans^[a] in hope of finding protection because of their kinship.^(A)