1 Maccabees 12:7-9

Revised Standard Version

⁷ Already in time past a letter was sent to Oni′as the high priest from Ari′us,^[a] who was king among you, stating that you are our brethren, as the appended copy shows. ⁸ Oni′as 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 which are in our hands,