A private letter from Hermes to a brother, sending 22 pairs of fine loaves and asking for a sack, seven large cheeses and honeycombs for their sister Theodoris. He also asks his brother to have records searched in the archive from year 1 to year 9 of Alexander (probably Severus Alexander) with the help of a contact there, and to get signatures from relatives.
In English machine translation
Hermes to his dearest […], greetings (?). Before all else we pray that you are in good health, and I make your obeisance before our ancestral gods.
Do not neglect to write about your well-being, brother. Remember the man; you know whom I mean; in the archive. Receive from the one delivering the letter to you 22 pairs of fine wheat loaves. But send me the sack quickly, and 7 large cheeses, and for our sister Theodoris honeycombs worth 2 drachmas 2 obols. About whatever you need, dearest brother, do not hesitate to write to me. And write to me what has happened, for I am very eager to learn. The man knows whatever you are looking for in the archive. Search from year 1 of Alexander up to year 9, and if you can obtain a signature from our other relatives, you will do well.
Your wife greets you, and Isidoros our relative. All our people greet you, and our sister Theodoris.
Farewell, dearest brother, all your life; may I receive you back in good health.
I, Hermes, greet you.
The "bibliotheke" here is probably a public records office rather than a library of books. The years of "Alexander" most likely refer to the emperor Severus Alexander (AD 222-235).
Working translation of the DDbDP edition, made with Claude Opus 5.5 from the edition and the catalogue records shown below (catalogued as Letter of Hermes). It has not been reviewed by a papyrologist: check the edition before citing. Restorations follow the edition; […] marks lost text and (?) an uncertain reading.