4
Onias seeing the danger of this contention, and that Apollonius, as being the governor of Celosyria and Phenice, did rage, and increase Simon's malice,
5
He went to the king, not to be an accuser of his countrymen, but seeking the good of all, both publick and private:
6
For he saw that it was impossible that the state should continue quiet, and Simon leave his folly, unless the king did look thereunto.
7
But after the death of Seleucus, when Antiochus, called Epiphanes, took the kingdom, Jason the brother of Onias laboured underhand to be high priest,
8
Promising unto the king by intercession three hundred and threescore talents of silver, and of another revenue eighty talents:
9
Beside this, he promised to assign an hundred and fifty more, if he might have licence to set him up a place for exercise, and for the training up of youth in the fashions of the heathen, and to write them of Jerusalem by the name of Antiochians.
10
Which when the king had granted, and he had gotten into his hand the rule he forthwith brought his own nation to Greekish fashion.
11
And the royal privileges granted of special favour to the Jews by the means of John the father of Eupolemus, who went ambassador to Rome for amity and aid, he took away; and putting down the governments which were according to the law, he brought up new customs against the law:
12
For he built gladly a place of exercise under the tower itself, and brought the chief young men under his subjection, and made them wear a hat.
13
Now such was the height of Greek fashions, and increase of heathenish manners, through the exceeding profaneness of Jason, that ungodly wretch, and no high priest;
14
That the priests had no courage to serve any more at the altar, but despising the temple, and neglecting the sacrifices, hastened to be partakers of the unlawful allowance in the place of exercise, after the game of Discus called them forth;