1 Maccabees 14:12-22
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12 For every man sat under his vine and his fig tree, and there was none to fray them:
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13 Neither was there any left in the land to fight against them: yea, the kings themselves were overthrown in those days.
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14 Moreover he strengthened all those of his people that were brought low: the law he searched out; and every contemner of the law and wicked person he took away.
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15 He beautified the sanctuary, and multiplied vessels of the temple.
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16 Now when it was heard at Rome, and as far as Sparta, that Jonathan was dead, they were very sorry.
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17 But as soon as they heard that his brother Simon was made high priest in his stead, and ruled the country, and the cities therein:
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18 They wrote unto him in tables of brass, to renew the friendship and league which they had made with Judas and Jonathan his brethren:
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19 Which writings were read before the congregation at Jerusalem.
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20 And this is the copy of the letters that the Lacedemonians sent; The rulers of the Lacedemonians, with the city, unto Simon the high priest, and the elders, and priests, and residue of the people of the Jews, our brethren, send greeting:
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21 The ambassadors that were sent unto our people certified us of your glory and honour: wherefore we were glad of their coming,
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22 And did register the things that they spake in the council of the people in this manner; Numenius son of Antiochus, and Antipater son of Jason, the Jews' ambassadors, came unto us to renew the friendship they had with us.