1 When the holy city was living in harmony, and people observed the laws rigorously because of Onias the high priest, who was devoted to God and hated evil,
2 the kings used to honor the place and glorify the temple by sending the best gifts.
3 Seleucus the king of Asia even supplied all expenses for the sacrificial service from his own revenues.
4 But a certain Simon from the tribe of Benjamin, who had been appointed administrator of the temple, had a difference of opinion with the high priest about the management of the city market.