1 Maccabees 12:7-9

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition

⁷ Already in time past a letter was sent to the high priest Onias from Arius,^[a] who was king among you, stating that you are our brothers, as the appended copy shows. ⁸ Onias welcomed the envoy with honor, and received the letter, which contained a clear declaration of alliance and friendship. ⁹ Therefore, though we have no need of these things, since we have as encouragement the holy books that are in our hands,