THE SECOND BOOK OF MACCABEES 4

2 Maccabees 4

1 Simon reports evil of Onias. 7 Jason obtains the office of the high Priest by corrupting the King. 27 And was by Menelaus defrauded by like bribing. 34 Onias is slain traitorously by Andronicus.

THIS Simon now, of whom we spoke afore, being a betrayer [devulge, betray]* of the money and of his own natural country, reported evil of Onias, as though he had moved Heliodorus unto this, and had been the inventor of the evil.

Thus was he bold to call him a traitor that was so beneficial to the city, and a defender of his nation, and so zealous of the Laws.

But when his malice increased so far, that through one that belonged to Simon, murders were committed,

Onias considering the danger of this contention, and that Apollonius as he that was the governor of Coclosyria and Phenice, did rage, and increased Simon’s malice,

He went to the King not as an accuser of the citizens, but as one that intended the common wealth both privately and publicly.

For he saw it was not possible except the King took order to quiet the matters, and that Simon would not leave off his folly.

But after the death of Seleucus, when Antiochus, called Epiphanes, took the kingdom, Jason the brother of Onias labored by unlawful means to be high Priest.

For he came unto the King, and promised him three hundredth and threescore talents of silver, and of another rent, fourscore talents.

Besides this he promised him an hundredth and fifty, if he might have license to set up a place for exercise, and a place for the youth, and that they would name them of Jerusalem Antiochians.

The which thing when the King had granted, and he had gotten the superiority, he began immediately to draw his kinsmen to the customs of the Gentiles,

And abolished the friendly privileges of the Kings, that the Jews had set up by John, the father of Eupolemus, which was sent ambassador unto Rome, to become friends and confederates: he put down their laws and policies, and brought up new statutes, and contrary to the Law.

For he presumed to build a place of exercise under the castle, and brought the chief young men under his subjection, and made them wear hats.

So there began a great desire to follow the manners of the Gentiles, and they took up the factions of strange nations by the exceeding wickedness of Jason, not the high Priest, but the ungodly person,

So that the Priests were now no more diligent about the service of the altar, but despised the Temple, and regarded not the sacrifices, but made haste to be partakers of the wicked expenses at the play after the casting of the stone.

For they did not set by the honor of their fathers, but liked the glory of the Gentiles best of all.

By reason whereof great calamity came upon them: for they had them to be their enemies and punishers, whose custom they followed so earnestly, and desired to be like them in all things.

For it is not a light thing to transgress against the Laws of God, but the time following shall declare these things.

Now when the games that were used every five years, were played at Tyrus, the King being present,

This wicked Jason sent from Jerusalem men to look upon them, as though they had been Antiochians, which brought three hundredth drachmes [ancient Greek silver coin]* of silver for a sacrifice to Hercules: albeit they that carried them, desired they might not be bestowed on the sacrifice (because it was not comely) but to be bestowed for other expenses.

So he that sent them, sent them for the sacrifice of Hercules: but because of those that brought them, they were given to the making of galleys.

Now Apollonius the son of Menestheus was sent into Egypt because of the coronation of King Ptolemeus Philometor: but when Antiochus perceived that he was evil affectioned toward his affairs, he sought his own assurance, and departed from thence to Ioppe, and so came to Jerusalem,

Where he was honorably received of Jason, and of the city, and was brought in with torch light, and with great showings, and so he went with his holy unto Phenice.

Three years afterward Jason sent Menelaus, the foresaid Simon’s brother, to bear the money unto the King, and to bring to pass certain necessary affairs, whereof he had given him a memorial.

But he, being commended to the King, magnified him for the appearance of his power, and turned the priesthood unto himself: for he gave three hundred talents of silver more than Jason.

So he got the King’s letters patents, albeit he had nothing in himself worthy of the high priesthood, but bare the stomach of a cruel tyrant, and the wrath of a wild beast.

Then Jason, which had deceived his own brother, being deceived by another, was compelled to flee into the country of the Ammonites.

So Menelaus got the dominion: but as for the money that he had promised unto the King, he took none order for it, albeit Sostratus the ruler of the castle required it.

For unto him appertained the gathering of the customs: wherefore they were both called before the King.

Now Menclaus left his brother, Lysimachus in his stead in the priesthood, and Sostratus left Crates which was governor of the Cyprians.

Whiles these things were in doing, the Tharsians and they of Mallot made insurrection, because they were given to the King’s concubine called Antiochus.

Then came the King in all haste, to appease the business, leaving Andronicus a man of authority to be his lieutenant.

Now Menelaus, supposing that he had gotten a convenient time, stole certain vessels of gold out of the Temple, and gave certain of them to Andronicus: and some he sold as Tyrus and in the cities thereby.

Which when Onias knew of a surety, he reproved him, and withdrew himself into a Sanctuary at Daphne by Antiochia.

Wherefore Menelaus, taking Andronicus apart, prayed him to slay Onias: so when he came to Onias, he counseled him craftily, giving him his right hand with an oath: (howbeit he suspect him, and persuaded him to come out of the Sanctuary) so he slew him incontinently [immediately, at once, forthwith]* without any regard of righteousness.

For the which cause not only the Jews, but many other nations were also grieved, and took it heavily for the unrighteous death of this man.

And when the King was come again from the places about Cilicia, the Jews that were in the city, and certain of the Greeks that abhorred the fact also, complained because Osias was slain without cause.

Therefore Antiochus was sorry in his mind, and he had compassion, and wept because of the modesty and great discretion of him that was dead.

Wherefore being kindled with anger, he took away Andronicus’s garment of purple, and rent his clothes, and commanded him to be led throughout the city, and in the same place where he had committed the wickedness against Onias, he was slain as a murderer. Thus the Lord rewarded him his punishment, as he had deserved.

Now when Lysimachus had done many wicked deeds in the city through the counsel of Menelaus, and the brute was spread abroad, the multitude gathered them together against Lysimachus: for he had carried out now much vessel of gold.

And when the people arose, and were full of anger, Lysimachus armed about three thousand, and began to use unlawful power, a certain tyrant being their captain, who was no less decayed in wit then in age.

But when they understood the purpose of Lysimachus, some got stones, some great clubs, and some cast handfuls of dust, which lay by, upon Lysimachus’s men, and those that invaded them.

Whereby many of them were wounded, some were slain, and all the other chased away: but the wicked Church robber himself they killed besides the treasury.

For these causes an accusation was laid against Menelaus.

And when the King came to Tyrus, three men sent from the Senate pleaded the cause before him.

But Menelaus, being now convinced, promised to Ptolemeus the son of Dorimenes much money, if he would persuade the King.

So Ptolemeus went to the King into a court, where as he was to coule [garment, cloak, hooded cloak]* himself, and turned the King’s mind.

Insomuch that he discharged Menelaus from the accusations (notwithstanding he was the cause of all mischief) and condemned those poor men to death, which if they had told their cause, yea, before the Scythians, they should have been heard as innocent.

Thus were they soon punished unjustly, which followed upon the matter for the city, and for the people, and for the holy vessels.

Wherefore they of Tyrus hated that wickedness, and ministered all things liberally for their burial.

And so through the covetousness of them that were in power, Menelaus remained in authority, increasing in malice, and declared himself a great traitor to the citizens.

*WP4Y