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.
8
He offered the king, in private communication, three hundred sixty talents of silver, and an additional eighty talents from another source of revenue.