was ready, if the thing were practicable, to lay
down his high priesthood; and that he would not go to the king, because
he troubled not himself at all about such matters. Joseph then asked him
if he would not give him leave to go ambassador on behalf of the nation.
He replied, that he would give him leave. Upon which Joseph went up into
the temple, and called the multitude together to a congregation, and
exhorted them not to be disturbed nor aftrighted, because of his uncle
Onias's carelessness, but desired them to be at rest, and not terrify
themselves with fear about it; for he promised them that he would be
their ambassador to the king, and persuade him that they had done him
no wrong. And when the multitude heard this, they returned thanks
to Joseph. So he went down from the temple, and treated Ptolemy's
ambassador in a hospitable manner. He also presented him with rich
gifts, and feasted him magnificently for many days, and then sent him to
the king before him, and told him that he would soon follow him; for
he was now more willing to go to the king, by the encouragement of the
ambassador, who earnestly persuaded him to come into Egypt, and promised
him that he would take care that he should obtain every thing that he
desired of Ptolemy; for he was highly pleased with his frank and liberal
temper, and with the gravity of his deportment.

3. When Ptolemy's ambassador was come into Egypt, he told the king of
the thoughtless temper of Onias; and informed him of the goodness of
the disposition of Joseph; and that he was coming to him to excuse
the multitude, as not having done him any harm, for that he was their
patron. In short, he was so very large in his encomiums upon the young
man, that he disposed both the king and his wife Cleopatra to have
a kindness for him before he came. So Joseph sent to his friends at
Samaria, and borrowed money of them, and got ready what was necessary
for his journey, garments and cups, and beasts for burden, which
amounted to about twenty thousand drachmae, and went to Alexandria. Now
it happened that at this time all the principal men and rulers went up
out of the cities of Syria and Phoenicia, to bid for their taxes; for
every year the king sold them to the men of the greatest power in every
city. So these men saw Joseph journeying on the way, and laughed at him
for his poverty and meanness. But when he came to Alexandria, and heard
that king Ptolemy was at Memphis, he went up thithe