Onias defamed and molested by Simon, repaireth to the king to procure peace. 7. Seleucus dying, and Antiochus reigning, Jason by promising money to the king, getteth the office of high priest from his brother Onias: 10. and perverteth religion: 12. setteth up a wicked school, whereby many are corrupted: 8. sendeth money for sacrifice to be offered to Hercules, which is employed in making galleys. 21. Antiochus is received with great pomp into Jerusalem. 23. Menelaus by promise of more money getteth the high priesthood from Jason. 29. He also is deposed, and his brother Lisimachus put in the place. 32. Andronicus traitorously murdereth Onias. 36. and for the same is slain by the king's commandment: 39. and Lysimachus by the people. 43. Menelaus justly accused escapeth by bribing, and the innocent are slain.Onias defamed & molested by Simon, repayreth to the king to procure peace. 7. Seleucus dying, & Antiochus reigning, Iason by promising money to the king, getteth the office of highpriest from his brother Onias: 10. and peruerteth religion: 12. setteth vp a wicked schoole, wherby manie are corrupted: 8. sendeth money for sacrifice to be offered to Hercules, which is imployed in making gallees. 21. Antiochus is receiued with great pompe into Ierusalem. 23. Menelaus by promise of more money getteth the high priesthood from Iason. 29. He also is deposed, and his brother Lisimachus put in the place. 32. Andronicus trayterously murdereth Onias. 36. and for the same is slaine by the kings commandment: 39. and Lysimachus by the people. 43. Menelaus iustly accused escapeth by bribing, and the innocent are slaine.✦

But Simon the foresaid betrayer of the money, and of his country, spake ill of Onias, as though he had stirred up Heliodorus to these things, and had been the mover of the evils:BVT Simon the foresayde betrayer of the money, and of his countrie, spake il of Onias, as though he had stirred vp Heliodorus to these thinges, and had bene the mouer of the euils:✦Simon autem prædictus, pecuniarum et patriæ delator, male loquebatur de Onia, tamquam ipse Heliodorum instigasset ad hæc, et ipse fuisset incentor malorum :

2and the provider for the city, and defender of his nation, and the of the law of God, he presumed to call a secret betrayer of the kingdom.and the prouider for the citie, and defender of his nation, and the emulatour of the law of God, he presumed to cal a secret betrayer of the kingdom.provisoremque civitatis, ac defensorem gentis suæ, et æmulatorem legis Dei, audebat insidiatorem regni dicere.

3But when the enmities proceeded so far, that murders also were committed by certain of Simons :But when the emnities proceeded so far, that murders also were committed by certaine of Simons familiars:Sed cum inimicitiæ in tantum procederent ut etiam per quosdam Simonis necessarios homicidia fierent,

4Onias considering the peril of the contention, and that Appollonius being governor of Caelesyria, and Phaenicia, was outrageous, which increased the malice of Simon, went to the king,Onias considering the peril of the contention, and that Appollonius being gouernour of Cælesyria, and Phænicia, was outragious, which encreased the malice of Simon, went to the king,✦considerans Onias periculum contentionis, et Apollonium insanire, utpote ducem Cœlesyriæ et Phœnicis, ad augendam malitiam Simonis ad regem se contulit,

5not as an accuser of the citizens, but considering with himself the common profit of the whole multitude.not as an accuser of the citizens, but considering with himself the common profite of the whole multitude.non ut civium accusator, sed communem utilitatem apud semetipsum universæ multitudinis considerans.

6For he saw that without the king's providence it was unpossible that peace should be made in those matters, and that Simon would not cease from his folly.For he saw that without the kings prouidence it was vnpossible that peace should be made in those matters, & that Simon would not cease from his follie. *Videbat enim sine regali providentia impossibile esse pacem rebus dari, nec Simonem posse cessare a stultitia sua.

7But after Seleucus departure out of life, when Antiochus that was called the Noble, had taken the kingdom upon him, Jason the brother of Onias ambitiously sought the high priesthood:But after Seleucus departure out of life, when Antiochus that was called the Noble, had taken the kingdom vpon him, Iason the brother of Onias ambiciously sought the highpriesthood:✦Sed post Seleuci vitæ excessum, cum suscepisset regnum Antiochus, qui Nobilis appellabatur, ambiebat Jason frater Oniæ summum sacerdotium :

8going to the king, promising him three hundred three score talents of silver, and of other revenues four score talents,going to the king, promising him three hundred three score talents of siluer, and of other reuenewes foure score talents,✦adito rege, promittens ei argenti talenta trecenta sexaginta, et ex redditibus aliis talenta octoginta,

9above this he promised also an hundred fifty more, if leave might be granted him to make a school, and a place for youth, and to entitle them, that were at Jerusalem, Antiochians.aboue this he promised also an hundred fiftie more, if leaue might be granted him to make a schole, and a place for youth, and to intitle them, that were at Ierusalem, Antiochians.✦super hæc promittebat et alia centum quinquaginta, si potestati ejus concederetur, gymnasium et ephebiam sibi constituere, et eos qui in Jerosolymis erant, Antiochenos scribere.

10Which when the king had granted, and he had obtained the princedom, forthwith he began to transport his country men to the heathen rite.Which when the king had granted, and he had obteyned the princedom, forthwith he began to transport his countrie men to the heathen rite.Quod cum rex annuisset, et obtinuisset principatum, statim ad gentilem ritum contribules suos transferre cœpit,

11And these things being taken away, which of favour had been decreed by kings unto the Jews, and through John the father of the Eupolemus, who was ambassador with the Romans concerning amity and society, he disannulling the lawful rites of the citizens, made wicked ordinances.And these thinges being taken away, which of fauoure had bene decreed by kinges vnto the Iewes, and through Iohn the father of the Eupolemus, who was embassadour with the Romans concerning amitie and societie, he disanulling the lawful rites of the citizens, made wicked ordinances.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.

12For he presumed under the very castle to set up a school, and to put all the goodliest youths in brothel houses.For he presumed vnder the verie castle to set vp a schoole, and to put al the goodliest youthes in brothel houses.Etenim ausus est sub ipsa arce gymnasium constituere, et optimos quosque epheborum in lupanaribus ponere.

13And this was not the beginning, but a certain increase, and going forward of the heathen and strange , through the abominable never heard before, of Jason the impious and not a priest.And this was not the beginning, but a certaine increase, and going forward of the heathen and strange conuersation, through the abhominable neuer heard before, of Iason the impious and not a priest.Erat autem hoc non initium, sed incrementum quoddam, et profectus gentilis et alienigenæ conversationis, propter impii et non sacerdotis Jasonis nefarium, et inauditum scelus :

14So that the priests were not now occupied about the offices of the altar, but the temple being contemned, and the sacrifices neglected, they hastened to be partakers of the game of wrestling, and of the unjust maintenance thereof, and in the exercise of the .So that the priestes were not now occupied about the offices of the altar, but the temple being contemned, & the sacrifices neglected, they hastened to be pertakers of the gamme of wrastling, and of the vniust maintenance therof, and in the exercise of the coyte.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.

15And setting nought by the honours of their fathers, they esteemed the Greek glories for the best:And setting nought by the honours of their fathers, they esteemed the Greeke glories for the best:✦Et patrios quidem honores nihil habentes, græcas glorias optimas arbitrabantur :

16by reason whereof they had dangerous contention, and they had emulation toward their ordinances, and in all things they coveted to be like to them, whom they had enemies and murderers.by reason wherof they had dangerous contention, and they had emulation toward their ordinances, and in al thinges they coueted to be like to them, whom they had enemies and murderers.✦quarum gratia periculosa eos contentio habebat, et eorum instituta æmulabantur, ac per omnia his consimiles esse cupiebant, quos hostes et peremptores habuerant.

17For to do impiously against the laws of God escapeth not unpunished, but this the time following will declare.For to doe impiously against the lawes of God escapeth not vnpunished, but this the time folowing wil declare.✦In leges enim divinas impie agere impune non cedit : sed hoc tempus sequens declarabit.

18And when the game used every fifth year was kept at Tyre, and the king was present,And when the gamme vsed euerie fifth yeare was kept at Tyre, and the king was present,✦Cum autem quinquennalis agon Tyri celebraretur, et rex præsens esset,

19the wicked Jason sent from Jerusalem sinful men, carrying three hundred didrachmas of silver for the sacrifice of Hercules, which they that carried it, requested that it might not be bestowed on the sacrifices, because it ought not, but that it might be for other charges.the wicked Iason sent from Ierusalem sinful men, carying three hundred didrachmaes of siluer for the sacrifice of Hercules, which they that caryed it, requested that it might not be bestowed on the sacrifices, becaufe it ought not, but that it might be deputed for other charges.misit Jason facinorosus ab Jerosolymis viros peccatores, portantes argenti didrachmas trecentas in sacrificium Herculis : quas postulaverunt hi qui asportaverant ne in sacrificiis erogarentur, quia non oporteret, sed in alios sumptus eas deputari.

20And these were offered indeed by him that sent them, unto the sacrifice of Hercules: but because of them that were present they were given to the making of galleys.And these were offered in dede by him that sent them, vnto the sacrifice of Hercules: but becaufe of them that were present they were geuen to the making of gallees. *Sed hæ oblatæ sunt quidem ab eo qui miserat in sacrificium Herculis : propter præsentes autem datæ sunt in fabricam navium triremium.

21And Apollonius the son of Mnestheus being sent into Egypt because of the nobles of Ptolomee Philometor the king, when Antiochus understood that himself was made an alien from the affairs of the kingdom, providing for his own , departing thence he came to Joppe, and from thence to Jerusalem.And Apollonius the sonne of Mnestheus being sent into Ægypt becaufe of the nobles of Ptolomee Philometor the king, when Antiochus vnderstood that himself was made an alien from the affaires of the kingdom, prouiding for his owne commodities, departing thence he came to Ioppe, and from thence to Ierusalem.✦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.

22And being received of Jason, and the city, entered in with torch lights, and with praises: and from thence he turned his army into Phaenicia.And being magnifically receiued of Iason, and the citie, entered in with torch lights, and with prayses: and from thence he turned his armie into Phænicia.Et magnifice ab Jasone et civitate susceptus, cum facularum luminibus et laudibus ingressus est : et inde in Phœnicen exercitum convertit.

23And after the time of three years Jason sent Menelaus brother of the foresaid Simon, carrying money to the king, and to bring answers of necessary affairs.And after the time of three yeares Iason sent Menelaus brother of the foresaide Simon, carying money to the king, and to bring answers of necessarie affayres.✦Et post triennii tempus, misit Jason Menelaum supradicti Simonis fratrem portantem pecunias regi, et de negotiis necessariis responsa perlaturum.

24But he being commended to the king, when he had magnified the presence of his power, wrested the high priesthood upon himself, overbidding Jason three hundred talents of silver.But he being commended to the king, when he had magnified the presence of his power, wrested the high priesthood vpon him self, ouer bidding Iason three hundred talents of siluer.✦At ille commendatus regi, cum magnificasset faciem potestatis ejus, in semetipsum retorsit summum sacerdotium, superponens Jasoni talenta argenti trecenta.

25And having received commission from the king, he came, having indeed nothing worthy of the priesthood: but bearing the mind of a cruel tyrant, and the wrath of a wild beast.And hauing receiued commission from the king, he came, hauing in deede nothing worthie of the priesthood: but bearing the mind of a cruel tyrant, and the wrath of a wilde beast.Acceptisque a rege mandatis, venit, nihil quidem habens dignum sacerdotio : animos vero crudelis tyranni, et feræ beluæ iram gerens.

26And Jason indeed who had circumvented his own brother, being himself deceived was driven out a fugitive into the country of the Ammanites.And Iason indeede who had circumuented his owne brother, being himself deceiued was driuen out a fugitiue into the countrie of the Ammanites.Et Jason quidem, qui proprium fratrem captivaverat, ipse deceptus profugus in Ammanitem expulsus est regionem.

27And Menelaus obtained the princedom: but concerning the money promised to the king he did nothing, whereas Sostratus that was governor of the castle exacted it.And Menelaus obteyned the princedom: but concerning the money promised to the king he did nothing, wheras Sostratus that was gouernour of the castel exacted it.Menelaus autem principatum quidem obtinuit : de pecuniis vero regi promissis, nihil agebat, cum exactionem faceret Sostratus, qui arci erat præpositus,

28For to him pertained the exacting of the tributes: for which cause they were both called out to the king.For to him perteyned the exacting of the tributes: for which cause they were both called out to the king.nam ad hunc exactio vectigalium pertinebant : quam ob causam utrique ad regem sunt evocati.

29And Menelaus was removed from the priesthood, Lysimachus his brother succeeding: and Sostratus was made governor of the Cyprians.And Menelaus was remoued from the priesthood, Lysimachus his brother succeeding: and Sostratus was made gouernour of the Cyprians.✦Et Menelaus amotus est a sacerdotio, succedente Lysimacho fratre suo : Sostratus autem prælatus est Cypriis.

30And when these things were a doing, it chanced the Tharsians, and the Mallotians to move sedition, because they were given for a gift to king Antiochus concubine.And when these things were a doing, it chanced the Tharsians, and the Mallotians to moue sedition, becaufe they were geuen for a gift to king Antiochus concubine.✦Et cum hæc agerentur, contigit Tharsenses et Mallotas seditionem movere, eo quod Antiochidi regis concubinæ dono essent dati.

31The king therefore came in haste to pacify them, one of his companions Adronicus being left substitute.The king therfore came in hast to pacifie them, one of his companions Adronicus being lefte substitute.Festinanter itaque rex venit sedare illos, relicto suffecto uno ex comitibus suis Andronico.

32But Menelaus supposing that he had taken a time, stealing certain vessels of gold out of the temple, gave them to Adronicus, and others he had sold at Tyre, and in their near cities:But Menelaus supposing that he had taken a conuenient time, stealing certaine vessels of gold out of the temple, gaue them to Adronicus, and others he had sould at Tyre, & in their neere cities:Ratus autem Menelaus accepisse se tempus opportunum, aurea quædam vasa e templo furatus donavit Andronico, et alia vendiderat Tyri, et per vicinas civitates.

33Which thing when Onias understood most certainly, he rebuked him, keeping himself in a safe place at Antioch beside Daphne.Which thing when Onias vnderstood most certainly, he rebuked him, keeping himself in a safe place at Antioche beside Daphne.✦Quod cum certissime cognovisset Onias, arguebat eum, ipse in loco tuto se continens Antiochiæ secus Daphnem.

34Whereupon Menelaus coming to Andronicus, desired him to kill Onias. Who when he was come to Onias, and right hands being given with an oath (although he was suspected of him) had persuaded him to come out of the sanctuary, immediately he slew him, not reverencing justice.Wherupon Menelaus coming to Andronicus, desired him to kil Onias. Who when he was come to Onias, and right handes being geuen with an oath (although he was suspected of him) had perswaded him to come out of the sanctuarie, immediatly he slew him, not reuerencing iustice.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.

35For which cause not only the Jews, but also other nations likewise were offended, and took it grievously for the unjust murder of so great a man.For which cause not only the Iewes, but also other nations likewise were offended, and tooke it greuously for the vniust murder of so great a man.Ob quam causam non solum Judæi, sed aliæ quoque nationes indignabantur, et moleste ferebant de nece tanti viri injusta.

36But when the king was returned out of the places of Cilicia, the Jews went unto him at Antioch, and also the Greeks: complaining of the unjust murder of Onias.But when the king was returned out of the places of Cilicia, the Iewes went vnto him at Antioch, and also the Greekes: complayning of the vniust murder of Onias.Sed regressum regem de Ciliciæ locis adierunt Judæi apud Antiochiam, simul et Græci, conquerentes de iniqua nece Oniæ.

37Antiochus therefore was sorry in his mind for Onias, and being inclined to pity, he shed tears, remembering the sobriety and modesty of the deceased.Antiochus therefore was sorie in his minde for Onias, and being inclined to pitie, he shed teares, remembring the sobrietie and modestie of the deceased.Contristatus itaque animo Antiochus propter Oniam, et flexus ad misericordiam, lacrimas fudit, recordatus defuncti sobrietatem et modestiam :

38And his heart being incensed, he commanded Andronicus being spoiled of the purple, to be led about all the city: and that in the same place, wherein he had committed the impiety upon Onias, the sacrilegious person should be deprived of his life, our Lord repaying him worthy punishment.And his hart being incensed, he commanded Andronicus being spoiled of the purple, to be led about al the citie: and that in the same place, wherin he had committed the impiety vpon Onias, the sacrilegious person should be depriued of his life, our Lord repaying him worthie punishment.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.

39And many sacrileges being committed of Lysimachus in the temple by the counsel of Menelaus, and the rumour being bruited abroad, the multitude gathered together against Lysimachus, much gold being now carried out.And manie sacrilegies being committed of Lysimachus in the temple by the counsel of Menelaus, and the rumour being bruited abrode, the multitude gathered together against Lysimachus, much gold being now caryed out.Multis autem sacrilegiis in templo a Lysimacho commissis Menelai consilio, et divulgata fama, congregata est multitudo adversum Lysimachum multo jam auro exportato.

40But the multitudes making insurrection, and their minds replenished with anger, Lysimachus arming almost three thousand began to use unjust hands, a certain tyrant being captain far grown in age, and also in madness.But the multitudes making insurrection, and their mindes replenished with anger, Lysimachus arming almost three thousand began to vse vniust handes, a certaine tyrant being captaine farre growne in age, and also in madnes.✦Turbis autem insurgentibus, et animis ira repletis, Lysimachus armatis fere tribus millibus iniquis manibus uti cœpit, duce quodam tyranno, ætate pariter et dementia provecto.

41But as they understood the endeavour of Lysimachus, some took stones, some strong clubbles: and certain threw ashes.But as they vnderstood the endeuour of Lysimachus, some tooke stones, some strong clubbles: and certaine threw ashes.Sed ut intellexerunt conatum Lysimachi, alii lapides, alii fustes validos arripuere : quidam vero cinerem in Lysimachum jecere.

42And many indeed were wounded, and certain also thrown to the ground, but all were put to flight: the sacrilegious person also himself they slew beside the treasury.And manie in deede were wounded, & certaine also throwne to the ground, but al were put to flight: the sacrilegious person also himself they slew beside the treasurie.Et multi quidem vulnerati, quidam autem et prostrati, omnes vero in fugam conversi sunt : ipsum etiam sacrilegum secus ærarium interfecerunt.

43Concerning these things therefore judgement began to be commenced against Menelaus.Concerning these thinges therefore iudgement began to be commenced against Menelaus.✦De his ergo cœpit judicium adversus Menelaum agitari.

44And when the king was come to Tyre, three men sent from the , put up the matter unto him.And when the king was come to Tyre, three men sent from the ancients, put vp the matter vnto him.Et cum venisset rex Tyrum, ad ipsum negotium detulerunt missi tres viri a senioribus.

45And when Menelaus was overcome, he promised Ptolomee to give much money to persuade the king.And when Menelaus was ouercome, he promised Ptolomee to geue much money to perswade the king.✦Et cum superaretur Menelaus, promisit Ptolemæo multas pecunias dare ad suadendum regi.

46Ptolomee therefore went to the king being in a certain court, as it were to cool himself, and brought him from his purpose:Ptolomee therfore went to the king being in a certaine courte, as it were to coole himself, and brought him from his purpose:Itaque Ptolemæus in quodam atrio positum quasi refrigerandi gratia regem adiit, et deduxit a sententia :

47and Menelaus being guilty of all the evil was quitted of the crimes: and the poor wretches, who if they had pleaded the cause even before Scythians should be judged innocent, them he commanded to death.and Menelaus certes being guiltie of al the euil was quitted of the crimes: and the poore wretches, who if they had pleaded the cause euen before Scythians should be iudged innocent, them he commanded to death.et Menelaum quidem universæ malitiæ reum criminibus absolvit : miseros autem qui, etiamsi apud Scythas causam dixissent, innocentes judicarentur, hos morte damnavit.

48Quickly then did they unjustly suffer, which prosecuted the cause for the city, and the people, and the sacred vessels.Quickly then did they vniustly suffer, which prosecuted the cause for the citie, & the people, and the sacred vessels.Cito ergo injustam pœnam dederunt, qui pro civitate, et populo, et sacris vasis causam prosecuti sunt.

49For the which thing the Tyrians also being offended, were very liberal towards the burial of them,For the which thing the Tyrians also being offended, were very liberal towards the burial of them,Quam ob rem Tyrii quoque indignati, erga sepulturam eorum liberalissimi extiterunt.

50But Menelaus because of their avarice that were in power, continued in authority, increasing in malice to the betraying of the citizens.But Menelaus becaufe of their auarice that were in power, continewed in authoritie, increasing in malice to the betraying of the citizens.✦Menelaus autem, propter eorum qui in potentia erant avaritiam, permanebat in potestate, crescens in malitia ad insidias civium.

The reading text follows the 1582 first edition.

Cornelius a Lapide’s commentary on 2 Machabees 4 — verse-by-verse exposition→

Chapter 4 of 15