19 that evil Jason sent some messengers from Jerusalem to Tyre with 300 silver coins for a sacrifice to the god Hercules.Although these messengers were honorary citizens of Antioch, they knew it was wrong to pay for a sacrifice to Hercules with the silver. So they decided instead
20 to give the money for building warships.
21 About this same time, Antiochus sent Apollonius to Egypt, so that Apollonius could attend the crowning of King Philometor. When Antiochus learned that Philometor had become his enemy, he took actions to protect his kingdom. Then Antiochus left for Jerusalem, passing through the town of Joppa on the way.
22 In Jerusalem, Jason and a cheering crowd with torches gave him a glorious welcome. From Jerusalem, Antiochus led his army to Phoenicia.
23 Three years later, Jason sent a man by the name of Menelaus to King Antiochus with money in order to do some important business. Menelaus was the brother of the Simon who was mentioned earlier.
24 Menelaus was introduced to the king and tried to impress him by acting like a powerful official. Then he bought the position of high priest by offering the king 300,000 silver coins more than Jason had offered.
25 When Menelaus returned to Jerusalem, he carried papers from the king, saying he was the new high priest. But he was completely unfit for the job—he was cruel and had a violent temper worse than any wild animal.