Lysias not only planned to open Jerusalem to Gentile settlement, but he also wanted to let the Jews there know that there was nothing special about their Temple and its priests.

And to levy tribute on the temple as he did on the sacred places of the other nations: He planned to tax the Jewish Temple just as he taxed Gentile temples. Previously the Temple had enjoyed some financial privilege (see 2Macc 3.2-3).

And to put up the high priesthood for sale every year: He also planned to use the Temple as a source of income by selling the office of High Priest to the highest bidder each year. Already the high priesthood had been sold to the highest bidder once (see 2Macc 4.24).

Here is an alternative model for verses 2b-3:

• He planned to open Jerusalem up for Gentile settlers, 3~to make the Temple pay taxes just like Gentile holy places [or, temples] had to pay, and to sell the office of High Priest [to the highest bidder] every year.

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on 1-2 Maccabees. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2011. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.