1 Maccabees 12:2-4

Revised Standard Version

² He also sent letters to the same effect to the Spartans and to other places. ³ So they went to Rome and entered the senate chamber and said, “Jonathan the high priest and the Jewish nation have sent us to renew the former friendship and alliance with them.” ⁴ And the Romans^[a] gave them letters to the people in every place, asking them to provide for the envoys^[b] safe conduct to the land of Judah.