1 Maccabees 12:7
King James VersionSource notes
“There were letters sent in times past unto Onias the high priest from Darius, who reigned then among you, to signify that ye are our brethren, as the copy here underwritten doth specify.”
Context
4Upon this the Romans gave them letters unto the governors of every place that they should bring them into the land of Judea peaceably.
5And this is the copy of the letters which Jonathan wrote to the Lacedemonians:
6Jonathan the high priest, and the elders of the nation, and the priests, and the other of the Jews, unto the Lacedemonians their brethren send greeting:
7There were letters sent in times past unto Onias the high priest from Darius, who reigned then among you, to signify that ye are our brethren, as the copy here underwritten doth specify.
8At which time Onias entreated the ambassador that was sent honourably, and received the letters, wherein declaration was made of the league and friendship.
9Therefore we also, albeit we need none of these things, that we have the holy books of scripture in our hands to comfort us,
10Have nevertheless attempted to send unto you for the renewing of brotherhood and friendship, lest we should become strangers unto you altogether: for there is a long time passed since ye sent unto us.