Translated from Latin.
Justus Jonas wishes Andreas Rem, citizen of Augsburg, God's grace and peace!
Behold, dear Rem, the little book of Luther, which we have translated into Latin. So far we have noticed that many writings are scattered here and there, which are intended to convince the Jews of the coming of the Messiah; but none has yet come to light that is equal to it, one may look at the spirit or content of it. This booklet is full of such reasons that the Jews will not be able to answer anything thorough against it. Your suggestion, according to which you demand that this Scripture be presented in such a language, the use of which spreads widely among all peoples, Lutherus has not disliked. For there is hope that it will be much more useful in the Latin language than in German. The Jews, as we can see, have suffered the same fate as we have, in that they have been drawn away from the Word of God and from the simplicity of Scripture by the washing of their Talmud, just as we have been drawn away by the Scotist and Tho
mistic dreams. I have no doubt, however, that those to whom it is given to stick to the pure writings of Moses and the prophets will be not a little convinced and moved by these reasons. The rabbis (for that is their only endeavor, how they may fob off the rabble with an empty hope) invent that the scepter and the republic of the Jews in Babylon are still there, as if they could not be convicted of the lies there. Why do they not rather invent that the Jewish rule has been brought to the cities situated in the moon? But let us pray for this people, especially since there are not all Christians among us who bear the name of a Christian. If only God wanted the work with the Jews to go so happily from place to place, as wonderful the change and as glorious the works of God have been, which we have seen in such a short time with such a fast course of His word. Be at ease in the Lord. Wittenberg, 1523. 1)
1) In the old edition of Walch "1524". Compare the note to the superscription of this letter.