1
The previously mentioned Simon, who had informed about the money against his own country, slandered Onias, saying that it was he who had incited Heliodorus and had been the real cause of the misfortune.
2
He dared to designate as a plotter against the government the man who was the benefactor of the city, the protector of his fellow countrymen, and a zealot for the laws.
3
When his hatred progressed to such a degree that even murders were committed by one of Simon's approved agents,
4
Onias recognized that the rivalry was serious and that Apollonius, the son of Menestheus and governor of Coelesyria and Phoenicia, was intensifying the malice of Simon.
5
So he betook himself to the king, not accusing his fellow citizens but having in view the welfare, both public and private, of all the people.
6
For he saw that without the king's attention public affairs could not again reach a peaceful settlement, and that Simon would not stop his folly.
7
When Seleucus died and Antiochus who was called Epiphanes succeeded to the kingdom, Jason the brother of Onias obtained the high priesthood by corruption,
8
promising the king at an interview three hundred and sixty talents of silver and, from another source of revenue, eighty talents.
9
In addition to this he promised to pay one hundred and fifty more if permission were given to establish by his authority a gymnasium and a body of youth for it, and to enrol the men of Jerusalem as citizens of Antioch.
10
When the king assented and Jason came to office, he at once shifted his countrymen over to the Greek way of life.
11
He set aside the existing royal concessions to the Jews, secured through John the father of Eupolemus, who went on the mission to establish friendship and alliance with the Romans; and he destroyed the lawful ways of living and introduced new customs contrary to the law.