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Josephus again, in the twentieth book of his Antiquities, relates
the quarrel which arose among the priests during the reign of Nero,
while Felix was procurator of Judea. His words are as follows :
"There arose a quarrel between the high priests on the one hand and
the priests and leaders of the people of Jerusalem on the other. And
each of them collected a body of the boldest and most restless men, and
put himself at their head, and whenever they met they hurled invectives
and stones at each other. And there was no one that would interpose;
but these things were done at will as if in a city destitute of a
ruler. And so great was the shamelessness and audacity of the high
priests that they dared to send their servants to the threshing-floors
to seize the tithes due to the priests; and thus those of the priests
that were poor were seen to be perishing of want. In this way did the
violence of the factions prevail over all justice." And the same
author again relates that about the same time there sprang up in
Jerusalem a certain kind of robbers, " who by day," as he says,
"and in the middle of the city slew those who met them." For,
especially at the feasts, they mingled with the multitude, and with
short swords, which they concealed under their garments, they stabbed
the most distinguished men. And when they fell, the murderers
themselves were among those who expressed their indignation. And thus
on account of the confidence which was reposed in them by all, they
remained undiscovered. The first that was slain by them was Jonathan
the high priest; and after him many were killed every day, until the
fear became worse than the evil itself, each one, as in battle,
hourly expecting death.
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