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| [1]This Simon nowe (of whom we spake afore) being a bewrayer of the money and of his owne natural coutrey, reported ye worst of Onias, as though he had moued Heliodorus vnto this, & as though he had ben a bringer vp of euil. |
[1]This Simon now, of whom we spake afore, having been a betrayer of the money, and of his country, slandered Onias, as if he ha terrified Heliodorus, and been the worker of these evils. |
| [2]Thus was he not ashamed to call hym an enemie of the realme, that was so faythful an ouerseer and defender of the citie and of his people, yea and so feruent in the lawe of God. |
[2]Thus was he bold to call him a traitor, that had deserved well of the city, and tendered his own nation, and was so zealous of the laws. |
| [3]But when the malice of Simon increased so farre, that thorowe his friendes there were certayne manslaughters committed: |
[3]But when their hatred went so far, that by one of Simon's faction murders were committed, |
| [4]Onias considered the peryll that might come thorowe this stryfe, and howe that Apollonius the chiefe Lorde in Celosiria and Phenices, was al set vpon tirannie, and Simons malice increased the same: |
[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 gat him to the king, not as an accuser of the citezins, but as one that by him selfe intended the common wealth of the whole multitude. |
[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 sawe it was not possible to liue in peace, neither Simon to leaue of from his foolishnesse, except the king did loke therto. |
[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, whiche is called the noble, toke the kingdome, Iason the brother of Onias laboured to be hye priest: |
[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]For he came vnto the king, and promised him three hundred and threescore talentes of siluer, and of the other rentes fourescore talentes. |
[8]Promising unto the king by intercession three hundred and threescore talents of silver, and of another revenue eighty talents: |
| [9]Besides this, he promised hym yet an hundred and fiftie more, if he might haue licence to set vp a scoole and an exercise of weapons, and that he might call them of Hierusalem Antiochians. |
[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 graunted, and he had gotten the superioritie, he began immediatly to draw his kinsmen to the custome of the heathen, |
[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]Put downe the thinges that the Iewes had set vp of loue by Ihon the father of Eupolomus, whiche was sent ambassadour vnto Rome for to make the bonde of friendship and loue, he put downe all the lawes and liberties of the Iewes, and set vp the wicked statutes. |
[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 when he had made a scoole of fence vnder the castle, he drewe all the chiefest yong men on his side, and trayned them to were hattes. |
[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]And there was such a feruent desire to come to the maners of the heathen, and to take vp newe straunge fashions brought in thorowe the vngratious and vnhearde wickednesse of Iason, which shoulde not be called a priest, but an vngodly person: |
[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]Insomuch that the priestes were now no more occupied about the seruice of the aulter: but despised the temple, regarded not the offeringes, yea gaue their diligence to learne to fight, to wrastle, to leape, to daunce, and to cast the stone: |
[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; |
| [15]Not setting by the honour of the fathers, but liked the glorie of the Grekes best of all: |
[15]Not setting by the honours of their fathers, but liking the glory of the Grecians best of all. |
| [16]For the which they stroue perylously, & were greedy to folow their statutes, yea their lust was in all thinges to be like them, whiche afore were their enemies and destroyers. |
[16]By reason whereof sore calamity came upon them: for they had them to be their enemies and avengers, whose custom they followed so earnestly, and unto whom they desired to be like in all things. |
| [17]Howebeit to do wickedly against the law of God, shal not escape vnpunished, but of this we shall speake hereafter. |
[17]For it is not a light thing to do wickedly against the laws of God: but the time following shall declare these things. |
| [18]What time as the Olimpians sportes were played at Tyrus, the king hym selfe beyng present, |
[18]Now when the game that was used every faith year was kept at Tyrus, the king being present, |
| [19]This vngratious Iason sent wicked men, bearing from them of Hierusalem (which nowe were called Antiochians) three hundred drachmes of siluer for an offering to Hercules: these had they that caryed them desired vnder such a fashion as though they should not haue ben offered, but bestowed to other vses. |
[19]This ungracious Jason sent special messengers from Jerusalem, who were Antiochians, to carry three hundred drachms of silver to the sacrifice of Hercules, which even the bearers thereof thought fit not to bestow upon the sacrifice, because it was not convenient, but to be reserved for other charges. |
| [20]Neuerthelesse, he that sent them, sent them to the intet that they should be offered vnto Hercules: but because of those that were present, they were geuen as to the making of shippes. |
[20]This money then, in regard of the sender, was appointed to Hercules' sacrifice; but because of the bearers thereof, it was employed to the making of gallies. |
| [21]And Apollonius the sonne of Menestheus was sent into Egypt, because of the noble men of king Ptolomi Philometor. Nowe when Antiochus perceaued that he was put out from medling in the realme, he sought his owne profite, departed from thence, came to Ioppa, and then to Hierusalem, |
[21]Now when Apollonius the son of Menestheus was sent into Egypt for the coronation of king Ptolemeus Philometor, Antiochus, understanding him not to be well affected to his affairs, provided for his own safety: whereupon he came to Joppa, and from thence to Jerusalem: |
| [22]Where he was honorably receaued of Iason, and of the citie, and was brought in with torche light and with great prayse: and so he turned his hoast vnto Phenices. |
[22]Where he was honourably received of Jason, and of the city, and was brought in with torch alight, and with great shoutings: and so afterward went with his host unto Phenice. |
| [23]After three yeres Iason sent Menelaus (the foresayd Simons brother) to beare the money vnto the king, & to bring him aunswere of other necessarie matters. |
[23]Three years afterward Jason sent Menelaus, the aforesaid Simon's brother, to bear the money unto the king, and to put him in mind of certain necessary matters. |
| [24]But he when he was commended to the king for magnifiyng of his power, turned the priesthood vnto him selfe, laying vp three hundred talentes of siluer for Iason. |
[24]But he being brought to the presence of the king, when he had magnified him for the glorious appearance of his power, got the priesthood to himself, offering more than Jason by three hundred talents of silver. |
| [25]So when he had gotten commaundementes from the king, he came, hauing nothing that becommeth a priest, but bearing the stomacke of a cruel tyraunt, and the wrath of a wilde bruite beast. |
[25]So he came with the king's mandate, bringing nothing worthy the high priesthood, but having the fury of a cruel tyrant, and the rage of a savage beast. |
| [26]Then Iason which had disceaued his owne brother, seyng that he hym selfe was begiled also, was fayne to flee into the lande of the Ammonites, |
[26]Then Jason, who had undermined his own brother, being undermined by another, was compelled to flee into the country of the Ammonites. |
| [27]And Menelaus gat the dominion: but as for the money that he had promised vnto the king, he dyd nothing therin, albeit Sostratus the ruler of the castle required it of him. |
[27]So Menelaus got the principality: but as for the money that he had promised unto the king, he took no good order for it, albeit Sostratis the ruler of the castle required it: |
| [28]For Sostratus was the man that gathered the customes: wherefore they were both called before the king. |
[28]For unto him appertained the gathering of the customs. Wherefore they were both called before the king. |
| [29]Thus was Menelaus put out of the priesthood, & Lysimachus his brother came in his steade, and Sostratus left Crates ouerseer of the Cyprians. |
[29]Now Menelaus left his brother Lysimachus in his stead in the priesthood; and Sostratus left Crates, who was governor of the Cyprians. |
| [30]It happened in the meane season, that the Tharsians and Mallotians made insurrection, because they were geuen for a present vnto Antiochus the kinges concubine. |
[30]While those things were in doing, they of Tarsus and Mallos made insurrection, because they were given to the king's concubine, called Antiochus. |
| [31]Then came the king in all haste to still them againe, and to pacifie the matter, leauing Andronicus there to be his deputie as one meete therfore. |
[31]Then came the king in all haste to appease matters, leaving Andronicus, a man in authority, for his deputy. |
| [32]Now Menelaus supposing that he had gotten a right conuenient time, stole certayne vessels of golde out of the temple, and gaue them to Andronicus for a present: and some he solde at Tyrus, and in the cities therby. |
[32]Now Menelaus, supposing that he had gotten a convenient time, stole certain vessels of gold out of the temple, and gave some of them to Andronicus, and some he sold into Tyrus and the cities round about. |
| [33]Whiche when Onias knewe of a suretie, he reproued him: but he kept him in a sanctuarie beside Daphnis, that lyeth by Antioche. |
[33]Which when Onias knew of a surety, he reproved him, and withdrew himself into a sanctuary at Daphne, that lieth by Antiochia. |
| [34]Wherefore Menelaus gat hym to Andronicus, and prayed him that he would slay Onias. So when he came to Onias, he counseled hym craftyly to come out of the sanctuarie, geuing hym his hande with an oth, (how be it he suspect hym) and then he slue Onias without any regarde of righteousnesse. |
[34]Wherefore Menelaus, taking Andronicus apart, prayed, him to get Onias into his hands; who being persuaded thereunto, and coming to Onias in deceit, gave him his right hand with oaths; and though he were suspected by him, yet persuaded he him to come forth of the sanctuary: whom forthwith he shut up without regard of justice. |
| [35]For the whiche cause not onely the Iewes, but other nations also, toke indignation, and were displeased for the vnrighteous death of so godly a man. |
[35]For the which cause not only the Jews, but many also of other nations, took great indignation, and were much grieved for the unjust murder of the man. |
| [36]And when the king was come againe from Cilicia, the Iewes and certayne of the Grekes went vnto hym, complayning for the vnrighteous death of Onias. |
[36]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 Onias was slain without cause. |
| [37]Yea Antiochus hym selfe was sory in his mynde for Onias, so that it pitied him: and he wept, remembring his sobernesse and manerly behauour. |
[37]Therefore Antiochus was heartily sorry, and moved to pity, and wept, because of the sober and modest behaviour of him that was dead. |
| [38]Wherefore he was so kindled in his minde, that he commaunded Andronicus to be stripped out of his purple clothing, and so to be led throughout the citie, yea and the vngratious man to be slayne in the same place where he committed his wickednesse vpon Onias: Thus the Lorde rewarded him his punishement, as he had deserued. |
[38]And being kindled with anger, forthwith he took away Andronicus his purple, and rent off his clothes, and leading him through the whole city unto that very place, where he had committed impiety against Onias, there slew he the cursed murderer. Thus the Lord rewarded him his punishment, as he had deserved. |
| [39]Now when Lysimachus had done many wicked deedes in the temple thorow the counsell of Menelaus, and the voyce came abrode: the multitude gathered them together against Lysimachus, for he had caryed out now much golde. |
[39]Now when many sacrileges had been committed in the city by Lysimachus with the consent of Menelaus, and the fruit thereof was spread abroad, the multitude gathered themselves together against Lysimachus, many vessels of gold being already carried away. |
| [40]So when the people arose, and were full of displeasure, Lysimachus armed three thousande vnthriftes to defende him, a certayne tyraunt being their captayne, which was growen both in age and woodnesse. |
[40]Whereupon the common people rising, and being filled with rage, Lysimachus armed about three thousand men, and began first to offer violence; one Auranus being the leader, a man far gone in years, and no less in folly. |
| [41]They therefore seyng the interprise of Lysimachus, caught vp, some stones, some blockes endes, & some handfulles of dust that was next at hand, & threwe them vpon the rebelles of Lysimachus bande that had set vpon them. |
[41]They then seeing the attempt of Lysimachus, some of them caught stones, some clubs, others taking handfuls of dust, that was next at hand, cast them all together upon Lysimachus, and those that set upon them. |
| [42]Thus there were many of them wounded, some beyng slayne, and all the other chased away: But as for the wicked church robber hym selfe, they killed him beside the treasurie. |
[42]Thus many of them they wounded, and some they struck to the ground, and all of them they forced to flee: but as for the churchrobber himself, him they killed beside the treasury. |
| [43]Of these matters therefore, there was kept a court against Menelaus. |
[43]Of these matters therefore there was an accusation laid against Menelaus. |
| [44]Now when the king came to Tyrus, three men that were sent from the senate pleaded him giltie before the king. |
[44]Now when the king came to Tyrus, three men that were sent from the senate pleaded the cause before him: |
| [45]But Menelaus being nowe conuict, went & promised Ptolomi the sonne of Dorymenes to geue him much money, if he woulde pacifie the king towarde him. |
[45]But Menelaus, being now convicted, promised Ptolemee the son of Dorymenes to give him much money, if he would pacify the king toward him. |
| [46]So Ptolomi went to the king into a court, where as he was set to coole him, and brought him out of that minde: |
[46]Whereupon Ptolemee taking the king aside into a certain gallery, as it were to take the air, brought him to be of another mind: |
| [47]Insomuch that he discharged Menelaus from the accusations, that notwithstanding was cause of all mischiefe: and those poore men which if they had tolde their cause, yea before the Scythians, they shoulde haue ben iudged innocent, them he condepmned to death. |
[47]Insomuch that he discharged Menelaus from the accusations, who notwithstanding was cause of all the mischief: and those poor men, who, if they had told their cause, yea, before the Scythians, should have been judged innocent, them he condemned to death. |
| [48]Thus were they soone punished, which folowed vpon the matter for the citie, for the people, and for the holy vessels. |
[48]Thus they that followed the matter for the city, and for the people, and for the holy vessels, did soon suffer unjust punishment. |
| [49]Wherefore they also of Tyrus, moued with hatred of that wicked deede, caused them to be very honorably buried. |
[49]Wherefore even they of Tyrus, moved with hatred of that wicked deed, caused them to be honourably buried. |
| [50]And so through the couetousnesse of them that were in power, Menelaus remayned still in aucthoritie, encreasing in malice, to the hurt of the citezins. |
[50]And so through the covetousness of them that were of power Menelaus remained still in authority, increasing in malice, and being a great traitor to the citizens. |