2 Maccabees 4:3-5

New Catholic Bible

³ When Simon’s hostility reached such proportions that murders were actually committed by one of his agents, ⁴ Onias realized how dangerous the situation had become and that Apollonius, the son of Menestheus, the governor of Coelesyria and Phoenicia, was encouraging Simon in his evil ways. ⁵ 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.