2 Maccabees, 3

1. Now when the holy city was inhabited with all peace, and the laws were kept very well, because of the godliness of Onias the high priest, and his hatred of wickedness,

1. While the Holy City enjoyed complete peace and the laws were observed as perfectly as possible through the piety of Onias the High Priest and his hatred for all wickedness,

2. It came to pass that even the kings themselves did honour the place, and magnify the temple with their best gifts;

2. it came about that kings honored the Holy Place and made the High Priest richer by their magnificent gifts.

3. Insomuch that Seleucus of Asia of his own revenues bare all the costs belonging to the service of the sacrifices.

3. Even Seleucus, king of Asia, paid from his own account for the expenses of the sacrificial services.

4. But one Simon of the tribe of Benjamin, who was made governor of the temple, fell out with the high priest about disorder in the city.

4. But a certain Simon, a priest of the tribe of Bilgah and the Temple administrator, came into conflict with the High Priest regarding the inspection of the city markets.

5. And when he could not overcome Onias, he gat him to Apollonius the son of Thraseas, who then was governor of Celosyria and Phenice,

5. But he could not prevail over Onias. So he went to Apollonius of Tarsus, the governor of Coele-Syria and Phoenicia,

6. And told him that the treasury in Jerusalem was full of infinite sums of money, so that the multitude of their riches, which did not pertain to the account of the sacrifices, was innumerable, and that it was possible to bring all into the king's hand.

6. and reported to him that the treasury in Jerusalem was full of untold wealth, that there was a great amount of money which had nothing to do with the expenses required by the sacrifices, and that all this could easily be brought under the control of the king.

7. Now when Apollonius came to the king, and had shewed him of the money whereof he was told, the king chose out Heliodorus his treasurer, and sent him with a commandment to bring him the foresaid money.

7. Apollonius met with the king and told him about the wealth that had been disclosed to him. The king then sent Heliodorus, who was in charge of his affairs, with a letter that authorized him to transfer the treasures.

8. So forthwith Heliodorus took his journey; under a colour of visiting the cities of Celosyria and Phenice, but indeed to fulfil the king's purpose.

8. Heliodorus at once set out on his journey, pretending that he was going to visit Coele-Syria and Phoenicia, but with the intention of carrying out the king's order.

9. And when he was come to Jerusalem, and had been courteously received of the high priest of the city, he told him what intelligence was given of the money, and declared wherefore he came, and asked if these things were so indeed.

9. On his arrival in Jerusalem, he was hospitably received by the city and the High Priest to whom he related the report that had been made. He revealed the reason for his coming and asked the High Priest if the report was really true.

10. Then the high priest told him that there was such money laid up for the relief of widows and fatherless children:

10. The High Priest explained that there were some deposits belonging to widows and orphans.

11. And that some of it belonged to Hircanus son of Tobias, a man of great dignity, and not as that wicked Simon had misinformed: the sum whereof in all was four hundred talents of silver, and two hundred of gold:

11. Some belonged to Hyrcanus, son of Tobias, a person of very prominent position, who had also been affected by these slanders. All in all, the treasury had four hundred talents of silver and two hundred of gold.

12. And that it was altogether impossible that such wrongs should be done unto them, that had committed it to the holiness of the place, and to the majesty and inviolable sanctity of the temple, honoured over all the world.

12. Finally, Onias pointed out that it was utterly impossible to cheat those who had put their confidence in this Holy Place and in the inviolable majesty of that Temple venerated throughout the world.

13. But Heliodorus, because of the king's commandment given him, said, That in any wise it must be brought into the king's treasury.

13. But, following the orders of the king, Heliodorus insisted that all those treasures should be turned over to the king.

14. So at the day which he appointed he entered in to order this matter: wherefore there was no small agony throughout the whole city.

14. So, on the day set for Heliodorus to draw up the inventory, there was great disturbance in the city.

15. But the priests, prostrating themselves before the altar in their priests' vestments, called unto heaven upon him that made a law concerning things given to he kept, that they should safely be preserved for such as had committed them to be kept.

15. The priests in their sacred vestments stood before the altar and called upon Heaven: he who had given the law governing deposits should now preserve them for those who had deposited them.

16. Then whoso had looked the high priest in the face, it would have wounded his heart: for his countenance and the changing of his colour declared the inward agony of his mind.

16. None could look at the face of the High Priest without being deeply touched, for his appearance and his paleness revealed the anguish of his soul.

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

17. A kind of fear overwhelmed him that made him tremble from head to foot, showing to those who saw him the sorrow of his heart.

18. Others ran flocking out of their houses to the general supplication, because the place was like to come into contempt.

18. People rushed out of their houses in great confusion to pray together because the Holy Place was about to be profaned.

19. And the women, girt with sackcloth under their breasts, abounded in the streets, and the virgins that were kept in ran, some to the gates, and some to the walls, and others looked out of the windows.

19. The women, girded with sackcloth below their breasts, thronged into the streets. The younger girls who were not yet allowed to go out into the streets ran to the doorways, and some climbed the walls and others looked out from the windows.

20. And all, holding their hands toward heaven, made supplication.

20. All raised their hands to heaven and joined in prayer.

21. Then it would have pitied a man to see the falling down of the multitude of all sorts, and the fear of the high priest being in such an agony.

21. It was touching to see such a crowd prostrate in disarray on the ground and the High Priest in great anguish.

22. They then called upon the Almighty Lord to keep the things committed of trust safe and sure for those that had committed them.

22. While they were praying to the All-powerful Lord to protect the deposits of the Temple and keep them safe for those who entrusted them to the High Priest,

23. Nevertheless Heliodorus executed that which was decreed.

23. Heliodorus began to carry out what had been decided upon.

24. Now as he was there present himself with his guard about the treasury, the Lord of spirits, and the Prince of all power, caused a great apparition, so that all that presumed to come in with him were astonished at the power of God, and fainted, and were sore afraid.

24. He had already come near the Treasury with his bodyguard, when the Lord of the spirits and of every power caused so great a manifestation that all who had dared accompany Heliodorus were astonished before the power of God, and they lost their strength and courage.

25. For there appeared unto them an horse with a terrible rider upon him, and adorned with a very fair covering, and he ran fiercely, and smote at Heliodorus with his forefeet, and it seemed that he that sat upon the horse had complete harness of gold.

25. There appeared to them a horse with magnificent gear and on it was a fearsome rider. It rushed furiously at Heliodorus and struck at him with its forefeet. The rider appeared to have armor of gold.

26. Moreover two other young men appeared before him, notable in strength, excellent in beauty, and comely in apparel, who stood by him on either side; and scourged him continually, and gave him many sore stripes.

26. And two young men, strong and very beautiful and magnificently clothed, also appeared. They stood on each side of Heliodorus, and flogged him continuously, inflicting stroke after stroke.

27. And Heliodorus fell suddenly unto the ground, and was compassed with great darkness: but they that were with him took him up, and put him into a litter.

27. Heliodorus fell to the ground, enveloped in great darkness; then his men took him up and put him on a stretcher.

28. Thus him, that lately came with a great train and with all his guard into the said treasury, they carried out, being unable to help himself with his weapons: and manifestly they acknowledged the power of God.

28. So he was carried away, powerless even to help himself, he who but a moment before had proudly entered the treasury with a great retinue and all his bodyguard. Everyone clearly recognized the power of God.

29. For he by the hand of God was cast down, and lay speechless without all hope of life.

29. Because of the divine intervention, Heliodorus became mute and lost all hope of saving his life.

30. But they praised the Lord, that had miraculously honoured his own place: for the temple; which a little afore was full of fear and trouble, when the Almighty Lord appeared, was filled with joy and gladness.

30. Meanwhile the Jews blessed the Lord who had glorified his Holy Place. The Temple, which a little while before had been filled with terror and fear, now overflowed with joy and gladness because of the extraordinary manifestation of God.

31. Then straightways certain of Heliodorus' friends prayed Onias, that he would call upon the most High to grant him his life, who lay ready to give up the ghost.

31. Then some of Heliodorus' companions begged Onias to call upon the Most High to grant the grace of life to him who was at the point of death.

32. So the high priest, suspecting lest the king should misconceive that some treachery had been done to Heliodorus by the Jews, offered a sacrifice for the health of the man.

32. The High Priest, on his part, feared that the king might suspect the Jews of some foul play against Heliodorus, so he offered a sacrifice for the man's recovery.

33. Now as the high priest was making an atonement, the same young men in the same clothing appeared and stood beside Heliodorus, saying, Give Onias the high priest great thanks, insomuch as for his sake the Lord hath granted thee life:

33. While the High Priest was offering the sacrifice of atonement, the same young men, clothed in the same way, again appeared to Heliodorus, and standing before him, said, "Thank Onias the High Priest, for through him the Lord grants you the grace of life.

34. And seeing that thou hast been scourged from heaven, declare unto all men the mighty power of God. And when they had spoken these words, they appeared no more.

34. And as for you, who have been scourged by heaven's command, make known to all how great is the power of God." Having said this, they vanished.

35. So Heliodorus, after he had offered sacrifice unto the Lord, and made great vows unto him that had saved his life, and saluted Onias, returned with his host to the king.

35. Heliodorus then offered a sacrifice to the Lord and prayed at great length to him who had spared his life. He took leave of Onias and went back with his guards to the king.

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

36. There he began to bear witness to the works of the Most High God, which he had seen with his own eyes.

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

37. The king asked Heliodorus who could be sent again to Jerusalem to carry out what he failed to do. Heliodorus answered him,

38. If thou hast any enemy or traitor, send him thither, and thou shalt receive him well scourged, if he escape with his life: for in that place, no doubt; there is an especial power of God.

38. "If you have some enemy whom you wish to eliminate, send him there and you will see him return well flogged; that is, if he ever returns at all, for surely, divine power is in that place.

39. For he that dwelleth in heaven hath his eye on that place, and defendeth it; and he beateth and destroyeth them that come to hurt it.

39. He himself who dwells in heaven watches over the place and defends it, striking to death those who come to profane it."

40. And the things concerning Heliodorus, and the keeping of the treasury, fell out on this sort.

40. This was what happened to Heliodorus and how the Treasury was saved.