Simon autem prædictus, pecuniarum et patriæ delator, male loquebatur de Onia, tamquam ipse Heliodorum instigasset ad hæc, et ipse fuisset incentor malorum:

But Simon, of whom we spoke before, who was the betrayer of the money, and of his country, spoke ill of Onias, as though he had incited Heliodorus to do these things, and had been the promoter of evils:

And now, what must Simon do, the same that had drawn men’s eyes to his country with stories of treasure, but fall to slandering Onias? Onias it was, by his way of it, had egged Heliodorus on, and been the author of the mischief.

provisoremque civitatis, ac defensorem gentis suæ, et æmulatorem legis Dei, audebat insidiatorem regni dicere.

And he presumed to call him a traitor to the kingdom, who provided for the city, and defended his nation, and was zealous for the law of God.

So true a patriot, that well loved his race, well guarded the divine law, and he must be branded with the name of traitor!

Sed cum inimicitiæ in tantum procederent ut etiam per quosdam Simonis necessarios homicidia fierent,

But when the enmities proceeded so far, that murders also were committed by some of Simon’s friends:

The feud grew worse, till at last there were murders done, and Simon’s faction answerable for it.

considerans Onias periculum contentionis, et Apollonium insanire, utpote ducem Cœlesyriæ et Phœnicis, ad augendam malitiam Simonis ad regem se contulit,

Onias considering the danger of this contention, and that Apollonius, who was the governor of Celesyria and Phenicia, was outrageous, which increased the malice of Simon, went to the king,

Here was the public peace much endangered; here was Apollonius, the governor of Coelesyria and Phoenice, adding fuel to the flame of Simon’s malice; what marvel if Onias had recourse to the king?

non ut civium accusator, sed communem utilitatem apud semetipsum universæ multitudinis considerans.

Not to be an accuser of his countrymen, but with a view to the common good of all the people.

Little enough it liked him to bring an ill name on his fellow-citizens; yet common good of the Jewish folk he must needs have in mind;

Videbat enim sine regali providentia impossibile esse pacem rebus dari, nec Simonem posse cessare a stultitia sua.

For he saw that, except the king took care, it was impossible that matters should be settled in peace, or that Simon would cease from his folly.

how should quiet times return, or Simon’s madness be cooled, unless the king took order in the matter?

Sed post Seleuci vitæ excessum, cum suscepisset regnum Antiochus, qui Nobilis appellabatur, ambiebat Jason frater Oniæ summum sacerdotium:

But after the death of Seleucus, when Antiochus, who was called the Illustrious, had taken possession of the kingdom, Jason the brother of Onias ambitiously sought the high priesthood:

But king Seleucus was done with life now, and the throne passed to Antiochus, called the Illustrious. And here was a brother Onias had, called Jason, that coveted the office of high priest.

adito rege, promittens ei argenti talenta trecenta sexaginta, et ex redditibus aliis talenta octoginta,

And went to the king, promising him three hundred and sixty talents of silver, and out of other revenues fourscore talents.

This Jason went to the new king, and made him an offer of three hundred and sixty talents of silver out of its revenue, besides eighty from other incomings.

super hæc promittebat et alia centum quinquaginta, si potestati ejus concederetur, gymnasium et ephebiam sibi constituere, et eos qui in Jerosolymis erant, Antiochenos scribere.

Besides this he promised also a hundred and fifty more, if he might have license to set him up a place for exercise, and a place for youth, and to entitle them, that were at Jerusalem, Antiochians.

Let leave be granted him to set up a game-place for the training of youth, and enrol the men of Jerusalem as citizens of Antioch, he would give his bond for a hundred and fifty more.

Quod cum rex annuisset, et obtinuisset principatum, statim ad gentilem ritum contribules suos transferre cœpit,

Which when the king had granted, and he had gotten the rule into his hands, forthwith he began to bring over his countrymen to the fashion of the heathens.

To this the king assented; high priest he became, and straightway set about perverting his fellow-countrymen to the Gentile way of living.

et amotis his quæ humanitatis causa Judæis a regibus fuerant constituta per Joannem patrem Eupolemi, qui apud Romanos de amicitia et societate functus est legatione legitima, civium jura destituens, prava instituta sanciebat.

And abolishing those things, which had been decreed of special favour by the kings in behalf of the Jews, by the means of John the father of that Eupolemus, who went ambassador to Rome to make amity and alliance, he disannulled the lawful ordinances of the citizens, and brought in fashions that were perverse.

Till now, the Jews had followed their own customs, by grace of a royal privilege; it was John that won it for them, father of that Eupolemus, who afterwards went in embassage to Rome, to make a treaty of alliance. But Jason would abrogate these customs; common right should be none, and great wrong should find acceptance instead.

Etenim ausus est sub ipsa arce gymnasium constituere, et optimos quosque epheborum in lupanaribus ponere.

For he had the boldness to set up, under the very castle, a place of exercise, and to put all the choicest youths in brothel houses.

This game-place of his he did not scruple to set up in the very shadow of the Citadel, and debauch all that was noblest of Judaea’s youth.

Erat autem hoc non initium, sed incrementum quoddam, et profectus gentilis et alienigenæ conversationis, propter impii et non sacerdotis Jasonis nefarium, et inauditum scelus:

Now this was not the beginning, but an increase, and progress of heathenish and foreign manners, through the abominable and unheard of wickedness of Jason, that impious wretch and no priest.

Mischief in the bud, think you, when such alien Gentile ways came in? Nay, here was flower and fruit of it; and all through the unexampled villainy of one man, this Jason, that high priest was none, but rather an arch-traitor.

ita ut sacerdotes jam non circa altaris officia dediti essent, sed contempto templo et sacrificiis neglectis, festinarent participes fieri palæstræ et præbitionis ejus injustæ, et in exercitiis disci.

Insomuch that the priests were not now occupied about the offices of the altar, but despising the temple and neglecting the sacrifices, hastened to be partakers of the games, and of the unlawful allowance thereof, and of the exercise of the discus.

Why, the priests themselves had no more stomach for serving the altar; temple scorned, and sacrifice unheeded, off they went to the wrestling-ground, there to enter their names and win unhallowed prizes, soon as ever the first quoit was thrown!

Et patrios quidem honores nihil habentes, græcas glorias optimas arbitrabantur:

And setting nought by the honours of their fathers, they esteemed the Grecian glories for the best:

What glory their fathers had handed down to them! And fame such as the Greeks covet was all their ambition now.

quarum gratia periculosa eos contentio habebat, et eorum instituta æmulabantur, ac per omnia his consimiles esse cupiebant, quos hostes et peremptores habuerant.

For the sake of which they incurred a dangerous contention, and followed earnestly their ordinances, and in all things they coveted to be like them, who were their enemies and murderers.

Alas, here was a perilous contest awaiting them; Greek fashions they would follow, and Greeks would be, that ere long should have Greeks for their enemies, ay, and conquerors.

In leges enim divinas impie agere impune non cedit: sed hoc tempus sequens declarabit.

For acting wickedly against the laws of God doth not pass unpunished: but this the time following will declare.

There is no breaking God’s laws without paying the price; time will show that.

Cum autem quinquennalis agon Tyri celebraretur, et rex præsens esset,

Now when the game that was used every fifth year was kept at Tyre, the king being present,

When the quinquennial games were being held at Tyre, in the king’s presence,

misit Jason facinorosus ab Jerosolymis viros peccatores, portantes argenti didrachmas trecentas in sacrificum Herculis: quas postulaverunt hi qui asportaverant ne in sacrificiis erogarentur, quia non oporteret, sed in alios sumptus eas deputari.

The wicked Jason sent from Jerusalem sinful men to carry three hundred didrachmas of silver for the sacrifice of Hercules; but the bearers thereof desired it might not be bestowed on the sacrifices, because it was not necessary, but might be deputed for other charges.

this vile Jason it was sent some of his wretches with a gift of three hundred silver pieces to do honour to Hercules. True it is, the bearers of them asked they should not be spent on sacrifice, but on some other need that was more befitting;

Sed hæ oblatæ sunt quidem ab eo qui miserat in sacrificium Herculis: propter præsentes autem datæ sunt in fabricam navium triremium.

So the money was appointed by him that sent it to the sacrifice of Hercules: but because of them that carried it was employed for the making of galleys.

yet Jason’s meaning was, Hercules should have them, and if they went to the building of the fleet, it was thanks to Jason’s envoys.

Misso autem in Ægyptum Apollonio Mnesthei filio propter primates Ptolemæi Philometoris regis, cum cognovisset Antiochus alienum se a negotiis regni effectum, propriis utilitatibus consulens, profectus inde venit Joppen, et inde Jerosolymam.

Now when Apollonius the son of Mnestheus was sent into Egypt to treat with the nobles of king Philometor, and Antiochus understood that he was wholly excluded from the affairs of the kingdom, consulting his own interest, he departed thence and came to Joppe, and from thence to Jerusalem:

Afterwards, Apollonius the son of Menestheus was despatched to Egypt, for the enthroning of king Ptolemy Philometor. Well Antiochus knew that he was disaffected towards the royal policy, and there was his own safety to be considered … He passed on to Joppe, and so to Jerusalem,

Et magnifice ab Jasone et civitate susceptus, cum facularum luminibus et laudibus ingressus est: et inde in Phœnicen exercitum convertit.

Where he was received in a magnificent manner by Jason, and the city, and came in with torch lights, and with praises, and from thence he returned with his army into Phenicia.

where Jason and the whole city welcomed him in state, with carrying of torches and great huzza’ing. And so he led his army back to Phoenice.

Et post triennii tempus, misit Jason Menelaum supradicti Simonis fratrem portantem pecunias regi, et de negotiis necessariis responsa perlaturum.

Three years afterwards Jason sent Menelaus, brother of the aforesaid Simon, to carry money to the king, and to bring answers from him concerning certain necessary affairs.

Three years later, Jason would send to the king certain moneys, together with a report on affairs of moment; and for this errand he chose Menelaus, brother to that Simon we have before mentioned.

At ille commendatus regi, cum magnificasset faciem potestatis ejus, in semetipsum retorsit summum sacerdotium, superponens Jasoni talenta argenti trecenta.

But he being recommended to the king, when he had magnified the appearance of his power, got the high priesthood for himself, by offering more than Jason by three hundred talents of silver.

Access thus gained to the king’s person, Menelaus was careful to flatter his self-conceit; then, outbidding Jason by three hundred talents of silver, diverted the high-priestly succession to himself.

Acceptisque a rege mandatis, venit, nihil quidem habens dignum sacerdotio: animos vero crudelis tyranni, et feræ beluæ iram gerens.

So having received the king’s mandate, he returned bringing nothing worthy of the high priesthood: but having the mind of a cruel tyrant, and the rage of a savage beast.

Back he came to Jerusalem, with the royal warrant to maintain him, yet all unworthy, with a tyrant’s cruel heart, more wild beast than high priest.

Et Jason quidem, qui proprium fratrem captivaverat, ipse deceptus profugus in Ammanitem expulsus est regionem.

Then Jason, who had undermined his own brother, being himself undermined, was driven out a fugitive into the country of the Ammonites.

Thus was Jason supplanted, that had supplanted his own brother, and was driven to take refuge in the Ammonite country;

Menelaus autem principatum quidem obtinuit: de pecuniis vero regi promissis, nihil agebat, cum exactionem faceret Sostratus, qui arci erat præpositus,

So Menelaus got the principality: but as for the money he had promised to the king he took no care, when Sostratus the governor of the castle called for it.

as for Menelaus, he got the office he coveted, but never a penny paid the king of all he had promised, however urgent Sostratus might be, that was in command of the citadel.

nam ad hunc exactio vectigalium pertinebant: quam ob causam utrique ad regem sunt evocati.

For to him appertained the gathering of the taxes: wherefore they were both called before the king.

For all exaction of tribute this fellow was answerable; and so it fell out that both of them were summoned to court,

Et Menelaus amotus est a sacerdotio, succedente Lysimacho fratre suo: Sostratus autem prælatus est Cypriis.

And Menelaus was removed from the priesthood, Lysimachus his brother succeeding: and Sostratus was made governor of the Cyprians.

Menelaus leaving his high priesthood to his own brother, Lysimachus, and for Sostratus … he became governor of Cyprus.

Et cum hæc agerentur, contigit Tharsenses et Mallotas seditionem movere, eo quod Antiochidi regis concubinæ dono essent dati.

When these things were in doing, it fell out that they of Tharsus and Mallos raised a sedition, because they were given for a gift to Antiochis, the king’s concubine.

It befell at this very time that the men of Tharsus and Mallus made an insurrection; so little it liked them that a gift should be made of their cities to Antiochis, the king’s paramour.

Festinanter itaque rex venit sedare illos, relicto suffecto uno ex comitibus suis Andronico.

The king therefore went in all haste to appease them, leaving Andronicus, one of his nobles, for his deputy.

Post-haste the king went off to appease them, leaving one of his courtiers, Andronicus, to be viceroy.

Ratus autem Menelaus accepisse se tempus opportunum, aurea quædam vasa e templo furatus donavit Andronico, et alia vendiderat Tyri, et per vicinas civitates.

Then Menelaus supposing that he had found a convenient time, having stolen certain vessels of gold out of the temple, gave them to Andronicus, and others he had sold at Tyre, and in the neighbouring cities.

Here was Menelaus’ opportunity; he had gold ornaments with him, that he had stolen out of the temple, and now, giving some of these as a present to Andronicus, he sold the rest at Tyre and other cities in the neighbourhood.

Quod cum certissime cognovisset Onias, arguebat eum, ipse in loco tuto se continens Antiochiæ secus Daphnem.

Which when Onias understood most certainly, he reproved him, keeping himself in a safe place at Antioch beside Daphne.

Of these doings, one man had clear proof, and thereupon denounced him: Onias, that had now taken refuge in Daphne sanctuary, close by Antioch.

Unde Menelaus accedens ad Andronicum, rogabat ut Oniam interficeret. Qui cum venisset ad Oniam, et datis dextris cum jurejurando (quamvis esset ei suspectus) suasisset de asylo procedere, statim eum peremit, non veritus justitiam.

Whereupon Menelaus coming to Andronicus, desired him to kill Onias. And he went to Onias, and gave him his right hand with an oath, and (though he were suspected by him) persuaded him to come forth out of the sanctuary, and immediately slew him, without any regard to justice.

What did Menelaus? He gained the ear of Andronicus and demanded that Onias should pay for it with his life. So the viceroy himself paid Onias a visit, swore friendship and overcame his suspicions; then, when he had left sanctuary, without scruple of conscience put him to death.

Ob quam causam non solum Judæi, sed aliæ quoque nationes indignabantur, et moleste ferebant de nece tanti viri injusta.

For which cause not only the Jews, but also the other nations, conceived indignation, and were much grieved for the unjust murder of so great a man.

Here was great matter of indignation, and not among the Jews only; the very heathen took it amiss, so great a man should meet so unworthy an end.

Sed regressum regem de Ciliciæ locis adierunt Judæi apud Antiochiam, simul et Græci, conquerentes de iniqua nece Oniæ.

And when the king was come back from the places of Cilicia, the Jews that were at Antioch, and also the Greeks went to him: complaining of the unjust murder of Onias.

No sooner was the king back from Cilicia than the citizens of Antioch, Jew and Gentile both, assailed him with complaints about the murder of an innocent man;

Contristatus itaque animo Antiochus propter Oniam, et flexus ad misericordiam, lacrimas fudit, recordatus defuncti sobrietatem et modestiam:

Antiochus therefore was grieved in his mind for Onias, and being moved to pity, shed tears, remembering the sobriety and modesty of the deceased.

whereat Antiochus himself was heartily grieved, ay, and moved to tears of pity, such memories he had of Onias’ well-ordered, honourable life.

accensisque animis Andronicum purpura exutum, per totam civitatem jubet circumduci: et in eodem loco in quo in Oniam impietatem commiserat, sacrilegum vita privari, Domino illi condignam retribuente pœnam.

And being inflamed to anger, he commanded Andronicus to be stripped of his purple, and to be led about through all the city: and that in the same place wherein he had committed the impiety against Onias, the sacrilegious wretch should be put to death, the Lord repaying him his deserved punishment.

Anon he fell into a rage, stripped Andronicus of his purple, and would have him led away all through the streets, till he reached the very spot where he had lifted his impious hand against Onias. There the sacrilegious wretch perished, by the divine vengeance worthily requited.

Multis autem sacrilegiis in templo a Lysimacho commissis Menelai consilio, et divulgata fama, congregata est multitudo adversum Lysimachum multo jam auro exportato.

Now when many sacrileges had been committed by Lysimachus in the temple by the counsel of Menelaus, and the rumour of it was spread abroad, the multitude gathered themselves together against Lysimachus, a great quantity of gold being already carried away.

Meanwhile, word had gone abroad at Jerusalem, how Lysimachus was ever robbing the temple, by Menelaus’ contrivance. Great store of gold was lost already; but now there was a rising of the common folk against Lysimachus,

Turbis autem insurgentibus, et animis ira repletis, Lysimachus armatis fere tribus millibus iniquis manibus uti cœpit, duce quodam tyranno, ætate pariter et dementia provecto.

Wherefore the multitude making an insurrection, and their minds being filled with anger, Lysimachus armed about three thousand men, and began to use violence, one Tyrannus being captain, a man far gone both in age, and in madness.

whose numbers and their rage increasing, he was fain to put some three thousand men under arms, with one Tyrannus at their head, that was far gone in years, and no less in folly. Lysimachus it was that first resorted to violence;

Sed ut intellexerunt conatum Lysimachi, alii lapides, alii fustes validos arripuere: quidam vero cinerem in Lysimachum jecere.

But when they perceived the attempt of Lysimachus, some caught up stones, some strong clubs: and some threw ashes upon Lysimachus,

but the rabble, when they saw what he would be at, caught up stones or stout clubs for the attack, and some of them pelted him with cinders.

Et multi quidem vulnerati, quidam autem et prostrati, omnes vero in fugam conversi sunt: ipsum etiam sacrilegum secus ærarium interfecerunt.

And many of them were wounded, and some struck down to the ground, but all were put to flight: and as for the sacrilegious fellow himself, they slew him beside the treasury.

When they had wounded some of his retinue, and felled others to earth, the rest took to their heels; and there, close beside the treasury, this robber of the temple was done to death.

De his ergo cœpit judicium adversus Menelaum agitari.

Now concerning these matters, an accusation was laid against Menelaus.

And next, they must implead Menelaus himself on the same charge.

Et cum venisset rex Tyrum, ad ipsum negotium detulerunt missi tres viri a senioribus.

And when the king was come to Tyre, three men were sent from the ancients to plead the cause before him.

Three envoys from the council of elders brought the whole matter before the king, when he visited Tyre,

Et cum superaretur Menelaus, promisit Ptolemæo multas pecunias dare ad suadendum regi.

But Menelaus being convicted, promised Ptolemee to give him much money to persuade the king to favour him.

and Menelaus was as good as lost. What did he? With the promise of a great bribe he secured the good word of Ptolemy, son of Dorymenes;

Itaque Ptolemæus in quodam atrio positum quasi refrigerandi gratia regem adiit, et deduxit a sententia:

So Ptolemee went to the king in a certain court where he was, as it were to cool himself, and brought him to be of another mind:

Ptolemy it was waylaid the king, as he rested from the heat in a covered walk of his, and put him from his purpose.

et Menelaum quidem universæ malitiæ reum criminibus absolvit: miseros autem qui, etiamsi apud Scythas causam dixissent, innocentes judicarentur, hos morte damnavit.

So Menelaus who was guilty of all the evil, was acquitted by him of the accusations: and those poor men, who, if they had pleaded their cause even before Scythians, should have been judged innocent, were condemned to death.

So now Menelaus, that was at the root of all the mischief, must go scot free, and his unhappy accusers, that might have cleared themselves easily enough before a court of bloodthirsty Scythians, with their lives must pay for it.

Cito ergo injustam pœnam dederunt, qui pro civitate, et populo, et sacris vasis causam prosecuti sunt.

Thus they that persecuted the cause for the city, and for the people, and the sacred vessels, did soon suffer unjust punishment.

Here were men come to plead for their own city, their own people, their own temple treasures, and must they be hurried off to undeserved punishment?

Quam ob rem Tyrii quoque indignati, erga sepulturam eorum liberalissimi extiterunt.

Wherefore even the Tyrians being moved with indignation, were liberal towards their burial.

Even the Tyrians thought shame of it, and in princely fashion gave them burial.

Menelaus autem, propter eorum qui in potentia erant avaritiam, permanebat in potestate, crescens in malitia ad insidias civium.

And so through the covetousness of them that were in power, Menelaus continued in authority, increasing in malice to the betraying of the citizens.

So, through the avarice of the great, throve Menelaus still, and his wickedness went from bad to worse, to his countrymen’s undoing.