2 Maccabees 4:1-6

Common English Bible

4 This Simon, who had informed about the wealth of the temple and acted as an informer against his native land, slandered Onias. ² He accused the latter of threatening Heliodorus and becoming a perpetrator of evil. He dared to label the benefactor of the city, the protector of his fellow citizens, and a passionate advocate for the laws, as a traitor against the government. ³ His hatred was so intense that one of Simon’s men had even attempted to commit murders. 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 public affairs would not return to a peaceful state, and Simon would not cease from his madness.