Liber II Maccabaeorum, 3

1. igitur cum sancta civitas habitaretur in omni pace leges etiam adhuc optime custodirentur propter Oniæ pontificis pietatem et animos odio habentes mala

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. fiebat ut ipsi reges et principes locum summo honore dignum ducerent et templum maximis muneribus inlustrarent

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. ita ut Seleucus Asiæ rex de reditibus suis præstaret omnes sumptus ad ministerium sacrificiorum pertinentes

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

4. Simon autem de tribu Beniamin præpositus templi constitutus contendebat obsistente sibi principe sacerdotum iniquum aliquid in civitate moliri

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. sed cum vincere Onian non posset venit ad Apollonium Tharseæ filium qui illo tempore erat dux Cœlesyriæ et Fœnicis

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. et nuntiavit ei pecuniis innumerabilibus plenum esse ærarium Hierosolymis et communes copias inmensas esse quæ non pertinent ad rationem sacrificiorum esse autem possibile sub potestate regis cadere universa

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. cumque rettulisset Apollonius ad regem de pecuniis quæ delatæ erant ille accitum Heliodorum qui erat super negotia ejus misit cum mandatis ut prædictam pecuniam transportaret

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. statimque Heliodorus iter adgressus specie quidem quasi per Cœlesyriam et Fœnicen civitates esset peragraturus re autem vera regis propositum perfecturus

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. sed cum venisset Hierosolymam et benigne a summo sacerdote in civitate esset exceptus narravit de dato indicio pecuniarum et cujus rei gratia adesset apparuit interrogabat autem si vere hæc ita essent

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. tunc summus sacerdos ostendit deposita esse hæc et victualia viduarum ac pupillorum

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

11. quædam vero esse Hircani Tobiæ viri valde eminentis in his quæ detulerat impius Simon universa autem argenti talenta quadringenta esse et auri ducenta

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. decipi vero eos qui credidissent loco et templo quod per universum mundum honoratur pro sui veneratione et sanctitate inpossibile omnino esse

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. at ille pro his quæ habebat in mandatis a rege dicebat omni genere regiæ deferenda

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. constituta autem die intrabat de his Heliodorus ordinaturus non modica vero per universam civitatem erat trepidatio

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. sacerdotes autem ante altare cum sacerdotalibus stolis jactaverunt se et invocabant de cælo eum qui de depositis legem posuit ut his qui deposuerant ea salva custodiret

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. jam vero qui videret summi sacerdotis vultum mente vulnerabatur facies enim et color inmutatus declarabat internum animi dolorem

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. circumfusa enim erat viro mæstitia quædam et horror corporis per quæ manifestus aspicientibus dolor cordis ejus efficiebatur

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. alii etiam congregati de domibus confluebant publica supplicatione obsecrantes pro eo quod in contemptum locus esset venturus

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. accinctæque mulieres ciliciis pectus per plateas confluebant sed et virgines quæ conclusæ erant procurrebant ad Onian aliæ autem ad muros quædam vero per fenestras aspiciebant

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. universæ autem protendentes manus in cælum deprecabantur

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

21. erat enim misera commixtæ multitudinis et magni sacerdotis in agone constituti expectatio

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. et hii quidem invocabant omnipotentem Deum ut credita sibi his qui crediderant cum omni integritate conservarentur

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. Heliodorus autem quod decreverat perficiebat eodem loco ipse cum satellitibus circa ærarium præsens

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

24. sed spiritus Omnipotentis magnam fecit suæ ostensionis evidentiam ita ut omnes qui ausi fuerant parere ei ruentes Dei virtute in dissolutionem et formidinem converterentur

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. apparuit enim illis quidam equus terribilem habens sessorem optimis operimentis adornatus isque cum impetu Heliodoro priores calces elisit qui autem ei sedebat videbatur arma habere aurea

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. alii etiam apparuerunt duo juvenes virtute decori optimi gloria speciosique amictu qui circumsteterunt eum et ex utraque parte flagellabant sine intermissione multis plagis verberantes

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. subito autem Heliodorus concidit in terram eumque multa caligine circumfusum rapuerunt atque in sella gestatoria positum ejecerunt

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. et is qui cum multis cursoribus et satellitibus prædictum ingressus est ærarium portabatur nullo sibi auxilium ferente manifesta cognita Dei virtute

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. et ille quidem per divinam virtutem jacebat mutus

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

30. hii autem Dominum benedicebant quia magnificavit locum suum et templum quod paulo ante timore ac tumultu erat plenum apparente omnipotente Domino gaudio et lætitia impletum est

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. tunc vero ex amicis Heliodori quidam rogabant confestim Onian ut invocaret Altissimum et vitam donaret ei qui in supremo spiritu erat constitutus

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. considerans autem summus sacerdos ne forte rex suspicaretur malitiam aliquam ex Judæis circa Heliodorum consummatam obtulit pro salute viri hostiam salutarem

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. cumque summus sacerdos exoraret idem juvenes eisdem vestibus amicti adstantes Heliodoro dixerunt Oniæ sacerdoti gratias age nam propter eum tibi Dominus vitam donavit

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. tu autem ab eo flagellatus nuntia omnibus magnalia Dei et potestatem et his dictis non conparuerunt

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. Heliodorus autem hostia Deo oblata et votis magnis promisit ei qui vivere illi concessit et Oniæ gratias agens recepto exercitu repedabat ad regem

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. testabatur autem omnibus ea quæ sub oculis suis viderat opera magni Dei

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

37. cum autem rex interrogasset Heliodorum quis est aptus adhuc semel Hierosolymam mitti ait

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

38. si quem habes hostem aut regni tui insidiatorem mitte illuc et flagellatum eum recipies si tamen evaserit eo quod in loco vere sit Dei quædam virtus

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. nam ipse qui habet in cælis habitationem visitator et adiutor est loci illius et venientes ad malefaciendum percutit ac perdit

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. igitur de Heliodoro et ærarii custodia ita se res habet

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