2 Maccabees 4:4-6

Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition

⁴ Oni′as recognized that the rivalry was serious and that Apollo′nius, the son of Menes′theus^[a] and governor of Coelesyria and Phoenic′ia, was intensifying the malice of Simon. ⁵ So he betook himself to the king, not accusing his fellow citizens but having in view the welfare, both public and private, of all the people. ⁶ For he saw that without the king’s attention public affairs could not again reach a peaceful settlement, and that Simon would not stop his folly.