1 This Simon, who had informed about the wealth of the temple and acted as an informer against his native land, slandered Onias.
2 He accused the latter of threatening Heliodorus and becoming a perpetrator of evil. He dared to label the benefactor of the city, the protector of his fellow citizens, and a passionate advocate for the laws, as a traitor against the government.
3 His hatred was so intense that one of Simon’s men had even attempted to commit murders.
4 Seeing the danger of the dispute—including how Menestheus’ son Apollonius, the governor of Coele-Syria and Phoenicia, encouraged Simon’s evil—
5 Onias went to the king not to accuse his fellow citizens but to safeguard the public and private welfare of the people.
6 He recognized that without royal attention pubic affairs would not return to a peaceful state, and Simon would not cease from his madness.
7 After Seleucus died and Antiochus (who was called Epiphanes) received the kingdom, Jason the brother of Onias gained the high priesthood by corruption.