The Superintendent of the Temple Disturbs the Public Order.

The aforementioned Simon, who had served as an informer about the money against his country, began to make slanderous accusations against Onias, claiming that it was he who had incited Heliodorus and thus had instigated these wretched disorders. He even had the effrontery to accuse of conspiracy against the government this man who was a benefactor of the city, the protector of his compatriots, and a zealous defender of the laws. When Simon's hostility reached such proportions that murders were actually committed by one of his agents, Onias realized how dangerous the situation had become and that Appollonius, the son of Menestheus, the governor of Coelesyria and Phoenicia, was encouraging Simon in his evil ways. Therefore, he appealed to the king, not to accuse his compatriots but rather as one who had at heart the best interests, both public and private, of all the people. He saw that, unless the king intervened, public order could not exist and that Simon would persist in his madness.

2 MACCABEES: chapter 4, verses 1 - 6