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. While the holy city was inhabited in unbroken peace and the laws were very well observed because of the piety of the high priest Onias and his hatred of wickedness,

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

2. it came about that the kings themselves honored the place and glorified the temple with the finest presents,

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 even Seleucus, the king of Asia, defrayed from his own revenues all the expenses connected with the service 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 a man named Simon, of the tribe of Benjamin, who had been made captain of the temple, had a disagreement with the high priest about the administration of the city market;

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 prevail over Onias he went to Apollonius of Tarsus, who at that time was governor of Coelesyria and Phoenicia.

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. He reported to him that the treasury in Jerusalem was full of untold sums of money, so that the amount of the funds could not be reckoned, and that they did not belong to the account of the sacrifices, but that it was possible for them to fall under the control of the king.

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. When Apollonius met the king, he told him of the money about which he had been informed. The king chose Heliodorus, who was in charge of his affairs, and sent him with commands to effect the removal of the aforesaid 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. Heliodorus at once set out on his journey, ostensibly to make a tour of inspection of the cities of Coelesyria and Phoenicia, but in fact to carry out 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. When he had arrived at Jerusalem and had been kindly welcomed by the high priest of the city, he told about the disclosure that had been made and stated why he had come, and he inquired whether this really was the situation.

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

10. The high priest explained that there were some deposits belonging to widows and orphans,

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 also some money of Hyrcanus, son of Tobias, a man of very prominent position, and that it totaled in all four hundred talents of silver and two hundred of gold. To such an extent the impious Simon had misrepresented the facts.

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. And he said that it was utterly impossible that wrong should be done to those people who had trusted in the holiness of the place and in the sanctity and inviolability of the temple which is honored throughout the whole world.

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

13. But Heliodorus, because of the king's commands which he had, said that this money must in any case be confiscated for the king's treasury.

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 he set a day and went in to direct the inspection of these funds. There was no little distress 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. The priests prostrated themselves before the altar in their priestly garments and called toward heaven upon him who had given the law about deposits, that he should keep them safe for those who 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. To see the appearance of the high priest was to be wounded at heart, for his face and the change in his color disclosed the anguish of his soul.

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

17. For terror and bodily trembling had come over the man, which plainly showed to those who looked at him the pain lodged 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. People also hurried out of their houses in crowds to make a general supplication because the holy place was about to be brought 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. Women, girded with sackcloth under their breasts, thronged the streets. Some of the maidens who were kept indoors ran together to the gates, and some to the walls, while others peered out of the windows.

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

20. And holding up their hands to heaven, they all made entreaty.

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

21. There was something pitiable in the prostration of the whole populace and the anxiety of the high priest in his great anguish.

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

22. While they were calling upon the Almighty Lord that he would keep what had been entrusted safe and secure for those who had entrusted it,

23. Heliodoro executava o seu intento.

23. Heliodorus went on with what had been decided.

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 when he arrived at the treasury with his bodyguard, then and there the Sovereign of spirits and of all authority caused so great a manifestation that all who had been so bold as to accompany him were astounded by the power of God, and became faint with terror.

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 magnificently caparisoned horse, with a rider of frightening mien, and it rushed furiously at Heliodorus and struck at him with its front hoofs. Its rider was seen to have armor and weapons 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. Two young men also appeared to him, remarkably strong, gloriously beautiful and splendidly dressed, who stood on each side of him and scourged him continuously, inflicting many blows on him.

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

27. When he suddenly fell to the ground and deep darkness came over him, his men took him up and put him on a stretcher

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. and carried him away, this man who had just entered the aforesaid treasury with a great retinue and all his bodyguard but was now unable to help himself; and they recognized clearly the sovereign power of God.

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

29. While he lay prostrate, speechless because of the divine intervention and deprived of any 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. they praised the Lord who had acted marvelously for his own place. And the temple, which a little while before was full of fear and disturbance, was filled with joy and gladness, now that the Almighty Lord had appeared.

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. Quickly some of Heliodorus' friends asked Onias to call upon the Most High and to grant life to one who was lying quite at his last breath.

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. And the high priest, fearing that the king might get the notion that some foul play had been perpetrated by the Jews with regard to Heliodorus, offered sacrifice for the man's recovery.

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. While the high priest was making the offering of atonement, the same young men appeared again to Heliodorus dressed in the same clothing, and they stood and said, "Be very grateful to Onias the high priest, since for his sake the Lord has granted you your life.

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

34. And see that you, who have been scourged by heaven, report to all men the majestic power of God." Having said this they vanished.

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. Then Heliodorus offered sacrifice to the Lord and made very great vows to the Savior of his life, and having bidden Onias farewell, he marched off with his forces to the king.

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

36. And he bore testimony to all men of the deeds of the supreme 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. When the king asked Heliodorus what sort of person would be suitable to send on another mission to Jerusalem, he replied,

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 you have any enemy or plotter against your government, send him there, for you will get him back thoroughly scourged, if he escapes at all, for there certainly is about the place some 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 who has his dwelling in heaven watches over that place himself and brings it aid, and he strikes and destroys those who come to do it injury."

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

40. This was the outcome of the episode of Heliodorus and the protection of the treasury.