1
Now when the holy city was inhabited in all peace, and the laws were kept very well because of the godliness of Onias the high priest and his hatred of wickedness,
2
it came to pass that even the kings themselves honored the place and magnified the temple with their best gifts,
3
insomuch that Seleucus king of Asia from his own revenues bore all the costs belonging to the service of the sacrifices.
4
But one Simon of the tribe of Benjamin, who was made governor of the temple, fell out with the high priest about disorder in the city.
5
And when he could not overcome Onias, he went to Apollonius the son of Tarsus, who then was governor of Coelesyria and Phoenicia,
6
and told him that the treasury in Jerusalem was full of infinite sums of money, so that the multitude of their riches, which did not pertain to the account of the sacrifices, was innumerable, and that it was possible to bring all into the king's hand.
7
Now when Apollonius came to the king and had informed him of the money whereof he had been told, the king chose out Heliodorus his treasurer, and sent him with a commandment to bring him the aforesaid money.
8
So forthwith Heliodorus took his journey, under the guise of visiting the cities of Coelesyria and Phoenicia, but indeed to fulfill the king's purpose.
9
And when he had come to Jerusalem, and had been courteously received by the high priest of the city, he told him what intelligence was given concerning the money, and declared why he came, and asked if these things were indeed so.