ful to carry any vessel into the holy house; nor is there any
thing therein, but the altar [of incense], the table [of shew-bread],
the censer, and the candlestick, which are all written in the law; for
there is nothing further there, nor are there any mysteries performed
that may not be spoken of; nor is there any feasting within the place.
For what I have now said is publicly known, and supported by the
testimony of the whole people, and their operations are very manifest;
for although there be four courses of the priests, and every one of them
have above five thousand men in them, yet do they officiate on certain
days only; and when those days are over, other priests succeed in the
performance of their sacrifices, and assemble together at mid-day, and
receive the keys of the temple, and the vessels by tale, without any
thing relating to food or drink being carried into the temple; nay, we
are not allowed to offer such things at the altar, excepting what is
prepared for the sacrifices.

9. What then can we say of Apion, but that he examined nothing that
concerned these things, while still he uttered incredible words about
them? but it is a great shame for a grammarian not to be able to write
true history. Now if he knew the purity of our temple, he hath entirely
omitted to take notice of it; but he forges a story about the seizing of
a Grecian, about ineffable food, and the most delicious preparation of
dainties; and pretends that strangers could go into a place whereinto
the noblest men among the Jews are not allowed to enter, unless they
be priests. This, therefore, is the utmost degree of impiety, and a
voluntary lie, in order to the delusion of those who will not examine
into the truth of matters; whereas such unspeakable mischiefs as are
above related have been occasioned by such calumnies that are raised
upon us.

10. Nay, this miracle or piety derides us further, and adds the
following pretended facts to his former fable; for he says that this man
related how, "while the Jews were once in a long war with the Idumeans,
there came a man out of one of the cities of the Idumeans, who there had
worshipped Apollo. This man, whose name is said to have been Zabidus,
came to the Jews, and promised that he would deliver Apollo, the god of
Dora, into their hands, and that he would come to our temple, if they
would all come up with him, and bring the whole multitude of the Jews
with them; that Zabidus made him a certain w