§12.19.1libentissime legi tuas litteras; in quibus iucundissimum mihi fuit, quod cognovi meas tibi redditas esse;
I read your letter with the greatest pleasure; in which it was most pleasing to me that I learned that my letters had been delivered to you.
non enim dubitabam quin eas libenter lecturus esses, verebar ut redderentur.
For I did not doubt that you would read them gladly, but I was afraid they might not be delivered.
bellum quod est in Syria Syriamque provinciam tibi tributam esse a Caesare ex tuis litteris cognovi.
I learned from your letter about the war that is in Syria and that the province of Syria has been assigned to you by Caesar.
eam rem tibi volo bene et feliciter evenire; quod ita fore confido fretus et industria et prudentia tua.
I wish that this matter turns out well and fortunately for you; and I trust that it will be so, relying both on your industry and on your prudence.
§12.19.2sed de Parthici belli suspicione quod scribis, sane me commovit.
But as to what you write regarding the suspicion of a Parthian war, it has indeed deeply moved me.
quid enim copiarum haberes cum ipse coniectura consequi poteram tum ex tuis litteris cognovi.
For how much troops you had, I was able both to infer by conjecture myself and also learned from your letter.
itaque opto ne se illa gens moveat hoc tempore, dum ad te legiones eae perducantur quas audio duci.
Therefore, I pray that that nation may not move at this time, until those legions which I hear are being led to you are brought over.
quod si paris copias ad confligendum non habebis, non te fugiet uti consilio M. Bibuli, qui se oppido munitissimo et copiosissimo tam diu tenuit quam diu in provincia Parthi fuerunt.
But if you do not have equal forces for a clash, it will not escape you to use the plan of Marcus Bibulus, who kept himself in a very fortified and well-provisioned town as long as the Parthians were in the province.
sed haec melius ex re et ex tempore constitues; mihi quidem usque curae erit quid agas, dum quid egeris sciero.
But you will decide these matters better according to the circumstances and the occasion; as for me indeed, what you are doing will be a constant care, until I know what you have done.
Litteras ad te numquam habui cui darem, quin dederim; a te ut idem facias peto, in primisque ut ita ad tuos scribas, ut me tuum sciant esse.
I have never had a letter for you and someone to give it to, without having given it; I ask you to do the same, and especially to write to your people in such a way that they may know that I am yours.