II Macabeus, 3

1. Enquanto os habitantes de Jerusalém gozavam de uma paz perfeita, por causa da piedade e retidão do sumo sacerdote Onias, na exata observância das leis,*

1. Therefore when the holy city was inhabited with all peace, and the laws as yet were very well kept, because of the godliness of Onias the high priest, and the hatred his soul had of evil,

2. o templo era respeitado, mesmo pelos reis estrangeiros. Estes honravam o santuário com os mais ricos presentes,

2. It came to pass that even the kings themselves, and the princes esteemed the place worthy of the highest honour, and glorified the temple with very great gifts:

3. a tal ponto que Seleuco, rei da Ásia, subministrava com suas rendas pessoais toda a despesa necessária às liturgias dos sacrifícios.

3. So that Seleucus king of Asia allowed out of his revenues all the charges be- longing to the ministry of the sacrifices.

4. Todavia, um certo Simão, da tribo de Belga, nomeado prefeito do templo, desentendeu-se com o sumo sacerdote por causa da inspeção do mercado público.*

4. But one Simon of the tribe of Benjamin, who was appointed overseer of the temple, strove in opposition to the high priest, to bring about some unjust thing in the city.

5. Como não pudesse vencer Onias, foi procurar Apolônio de Társis então governador militar da Celessíria e da Fenícia.*

5. And when he could not overcome Onias he went to Apollonius the son of Tharseas, who at that time was governor of Celesyria and Phenicia:

6. Declarou-lhe que o tesouro do templo transbordava de imensas riquezas, a não poder enumerá-las; que nada tinham a ver com os sacrifícios, e que ele daria um jeito de fazê-las passar ao erário real.

6. And told him, that the treasury in Jerusalem was full of immense sums of money, and the common store was infinite, which did not belong to the account of the sacrifices: and that it was possible to bring all into the king's hands.

7. Tendo uma audiência com o rei, Apolônio comunicou-lhe o que soubera a respeito das riquezas que lhe haviam sido declaradas, e este, tomando uma decisão, enviou seu intendente Heliodoro, com a ordem de confiscar as ditas riquezas.

7. Now when Apollonius had given the king notice concerning the money that he was told of, he called for Heliodorus, who had the charge over his affairs, and sent him with commission to bring him the foresaid money.

8. Imediatamente, Heliodoro pôs-se a caminho, simulando visitas às cidades da Celessíria e da Fenícia; na realidade, porém, era para executar a ordem do rei.

8. So Heliodorus forthwith began his journey, under a colour of visiting the cities of Celesyria and Phenicia, but in- deed to fulfil the king's purpose.

9. Tendo chegado a Jerusalém, e sendo recebido amigavelmente pelo sumo sacerdote da cidade, transmitiu-lhe as revelações recebidas e comunicou-lhe o sentido de sua visita; contudo, indagou se tudo isso correspondia à realidade.

9. And when he was come to Jerusalem, and had been courteously received in the city by the high priest, he told him what information had been given concerning the money: and declared the cause for which he was come: and asked if these things were so indeed.

10. O sumo sacerdote fez-lhe ver que se tratava do depósito das viúvas e dos órfãos

10. Then the high priest told him that these were sums deposited, and provisions for the subsistence of the widows and the fatherless.

11. e que somente um dos depósitos pertencia a Hircano, filho de Tobias, homem de grande projeção; que era falsa a notícia dada pelo ímpio Simão, pois todas as riquezas se reduziam a uma soma de quatrocentos talentos de prata e duzentos talentos de ouro.

11. And that some part of that which wicked Simon had given intelligence of, belonged to Hircanus son of Tobias, a man of great dignity: and that the whole was four hundred talents of silver, and two hundred of gold:

12. Era completamente impossível defraudar os que haviam depositado confiança na santidade do lugar e no caráter sagrado e inviolável do templo venerado no mundo inteiro.

12. But that to deceive them who had trusted to the place and temple which is honoured throughout the whole world, for the reverence and holiness of it, was a thing which could not by any means be done.

13. Firme nas ordens do rei, Heliodoro respondeu que essas riquezas deveriam ser recolhidas ao tesouro real.

13. But he, by reason of the orders he had received from the king, said that by :all means the money must be carried to the king.

14. E, num dia por ele fixado, entrou com a intenção de organizar o inventário. A partir dessa hora, uma grande inquietude se espalhou pela cidade toda.

14. So on the day he had appointed, Heliodorus entered in to order this mat- tar. But there was no small terror throughout the whole city.

15. Revestidos de suas vestes sacerdotais e prostrados diante do altar, os sacerdotes invocavam ao céu e imploravam ao Autor da Lei acerca dos depósitos, rogando-lhe que os conservasse intatos para seus depositantes.*

15. And the priests prostrated them- selves before the altar in their priests' vestments, and called upon him from heaven, who made the law concerning things given to be kept, that he would preserve them safe, for them that had deposited them.

16. Já o aspecto do sumo sacerdote causava pena ver, do mesmo modo seu semblante. E a alteração de seus traços manifestava sua angústia interior.

16. Now whosoever saw the countenance of the high priest, was wounded in heart: for his face, and the changing of his colour declared the inward sorrow of his mind.

17. O susto que o havia tolhido agitava seu corpo com um tremor que mostrava o sofrimento íntimo de sua alma.

17. For the man was so compassed with sadness and horror of the body, that it was manifest to them that beheld him, what sorrow he had in his heart.

18. Diante da profanação que ameaçava o templo, o povo se precipitava em multidão para fora das casas, a fim de se ajuntarem à prece comum.

18. Others also came hocking together out of their houses, praying and making public supplication, because the place was like to come into contempt.

19. As mulheres, cingidas com sacos pela altura dos seios, enchiam as ruas. Quanto às jovens, retidas nas casas, corriam umas para as portas, outras para as muralhas, outras ainda se debruçavam nas janelas.

19. And the women, girded with haircloth about their breasts, came together in the streets. And the virgins also that were shut up, came forth, some to Onias, and some to the walls, and others looked out of the windows.

20. Todas erguiam as mãos para o céu com gritos de súplica.

20. And all holding up their hands towards heaven, made supplication.

21. Causava dó observar toda a confusão desse povo abatido e a angústia em que jazia o sumo sacerdote.

21. For the expectation of the mixed multitude, and of the high priest who was in an agony, would have moved any one to pity.

22. Enquanto suplicavam assim a pro­teção do Todo-poderoso para que conservasse invioláveis os depósitos que lhes haviam sido confiados,

22. And these indeed called upon al- mighty God, to preserve the things that had been committed to them, safe and sure for those that had committed them.

23. Heliodoro executava o seu intento.

23. But Heliodorus executed that which he had resolved on, himself being present in the same place with his guard about the treasury.

24. Já se achava ali, com seus homens armados, quando o Senhor dos espíritos e soberano detentor de todo poder suscitou uma tal aparição que todos os que tinham ousado vir ali desfaleceram de espanto, atingidos de pavor ante a majestade de Deus.

24. But the spirit of the almighty God gave a great evidence of his presence, so that all that had presumed to obey him, falling down by the power of God, were struck with fainting and dread.

25. Viram eles, montado num cavalo ricamente ajaezado e guiado furiosamente, um cavaleiro de terrível aspecto, que lançava em Heliodoro as patas dianteiras do cavalo. O que vinha nele montado parecia ter uma armadura de ouro.

25. For there appeared to them a horse with a terrible rider upon him, adorned with a very rich covering: and he ran fiercely and struck Heliodorus with his fore feet, and he that sat upon him seemed to have armour of gold.

26. Ao mesmo tempo, apareceram-lhe outros dois jovens, de extraordinário vigor, fulgurantes de luz e ricamente vestidos. Colocando-se dos dois lados, puseram-se a açoitá-lo sem interrupção e descarregaram sobre ele uma saraivada de golpes.

26. Moreover there appeared two other young men beautiful and strong, bright and glorious, and in comely apparel: who stood by him, on either side, and scourged him without ceasing with many stripes.

27. Atirado subitamente por terra, Heliodoro foi envolvido por espessas trevas. Seus companheiros ergueram-no e o depositaram numa liteira.

27. Arid Heliodorus suddenly fell to the ground, and they took him up covered with great darkness, and having put him into a litter they carried him out.

28. E ele, que vinha para penetrar no mencionado tesouro com uma numerosa escolta e guardas pessoais, incapaz de se ajudar a si mesmo, foi levado por pessoas que reconheciam o manifesto poder de Deus.

28. So he that came with many servants, and all his guard into the aforesaid treasury, was carried out, no one being able to help him, the manifest power of God being known.

29. Enquanto Heliodoro se achava estendido e ferido pela força de Deus, sem fala e sem esperança alguma de salvação,

29. And he indeed by the power of God lay speechless, and without all hope of recovery.

30. os habitantes de Jerusalém bendiziam o Senhor, que havia glorificado seu templo. O santuário, que pouco antes estava cheio de confusão e de tumulto, logo que o Senhor manifestou sua onipotência encheu-se de regozijo e de alegria.

30. But they praised the Lord because he had glorified his place: and the temple, that a little before was full of fear and trouble, when the almighty Lord appeared, was filled with joy and gladness.

31. Todavia, alguns dos companheiros de Heliodoro suplicavam a Onias que invocasse ao Todo-poderoso, para restituir-lhe a vida, prestes, na verdade, a apagar-se.

31. Then some of the friends of Heliodorus forthwith begged of Onias, that he would call upon the most High to grant him his life, who was ready to give up the ghost.

32. Recean­do que o rei suspeitasse de que os judeus houvessem organizado um atentado contra Heliodoro, o sumo sacerdote ofereceu um sacrifício pela salvação daquele homem.

32. So the high priest considering that the king might perhaps suspect that some mischief had been done to Heliodorus by the Jews, offered a sacrifice of health for the recovery of the man.

33. Ora, enquanto o pontífice executava a cerimônia expiatória, os mesmos jovens apareceram a Heliodoro, revestidos das mesmas vestes. Achegaram-se a ele e disseram-lhe: “Sê reconhecido ao sumo sacerdote, pois é por causa dele que Deus te dá a vida.

33. And when the high priest was praying, the same young men in the same clothing stood by Heliodorus, and said to him: Give thanks to Onias the priest: because for his sake the Lord hath granted thee life.

34. Proclama diante de todos seu grande poder, tu que foste açoitado por Deus”. Ditas estas palavras, desapareceram.

34. And thou having been scourged by God, declare unto all men the great works and the power of God. And having spoken thus, they appeared no more.

35. Após ter oferecido um sacrifício ao Senhor, erguido abundantes preces ao que lhe havia poupado a vida, e agradecido a Onias, Heliodoro regressou com suas tropas para junto do rei.

35. So Heliodorus after he had offered a sacrifice to God, and made great vows to him, that had granted him life, and given thanks to Onias, taking his troops with him, returned to the king.

36. Testemunhava, diante de todos, os prodígios operados pelo grandioso Deus, aos seus olhos

36. And he testified to all men the works of the great God, which he had seen with his own eyes.

37. e, como o rei lhe perguntasse que homem julgava ele que pudesse enviar ainda uma vez a Jerusalém, respondeu:

37. And when the king asked Heliodorus, who might be a fit man to be sent yet once more to Jerusalem, he said:

38. “Se tens algum inimigo ou alguém que maquina contra ti, envia-o para lá. Tu o receberás de volta ferido, se ainda viver, porque há verdadeiramente, naquele lugar, uma força divina.

38. If thou hast any enemy or traitor to thy kingdom, send him thither, and thou shalt receive him again scourged, if so be he escape: for there is undoubtedly in that place a certain power of God.

39. O que habita no céu zela por aquele templo. Protege-o e arruína mortalmente os que aí vêm com más intenções”.

39. For he that hath his dwelling in the heavens, is the visitor, and protector of that place, and he striketh and destroyeth them that come to do evil to it.

40. Foi assim que se passaram esses fatos a respeito de Heliodoro e da conservação do tesouro sagrado.

40. And the things concerning Heliodorus, and the keeping of the treasury fell out in this manner.