2 Maccabees 4:3-5

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition

³ When his hatred progressed to such a degree that even murders were committed by one of Simon’s approved agents, ⁴ Onias recognized that the rivalry was serious and that Apollonius son of Menestheus,^[a] and governor of Coelesyria and Phoenicia, was intensifying the malice of Simon. ⁵ So he appealed to the king, not accusing his compatriots but having in view the welfare, both public and private, of all the people.