2 He dared to brand as a schemer against the government the man who was the benefactor of the city, the protector of his compatriots, and a zealous defender of the laws.
3 When Simon’s hostility reached such a pitch that murders were being committed by one of his henchmen,
4 Onias saw that the opposition was serious and that Apollonius, son of Menestheus, the governor of Coelesyria and Phoenicia, was abetting Simon’s wickedness.
5 So he had recourse to the king, not as an accuser of his compatriots, but as one looking to the general and particular good of all the people.
6 He saw that without royal attention it would be impossible to have a peaceful government, and that Simon would not desist from his folly.
7 But Seleucus died, and when Antiochus surnamed Epiphanes succeeded him on the throne, Onias’ brother Jason obtained the high priesthood by corrupt means:
8 in an interview, he promised the king three hundred and sixty talents of silver, as well as eighty talents from another source of income.