1 igitur cum sancta civitas habitaretur in omni pace
leges etiam adhuc optime custodirentur
propter Oniae pontificis pietatem
et animos odio habentes mala
2 fiebat ut ipsi reges et principes
locum summo honore dignum ducerent
et templum maximis muneribus inlustrarent
3 ita ut Seleucus Asiae rex de reditibus suis praestaret
omnes sumptus ad ministerium sacrificiorum pertinentes
4 Simon autem de tribu Beniamin
praepositus templi constitutus contendebat
obsistente sibi principe sacerdotum
iniquum aliquid in civitate moliri
5 sed cum vincere Onian non posset
venit ad Apollonium Tharseae filium
qui illo tempore erat dux Coelesyriae et Foenicis
6 et nuntiavit ei
pecuniis innumerabilibus plenum esse aerarium Hierosolymis
et communes copias inmensas esse
quae non pertinent ad rationem sacrificiorum
esse autem possibile sub potestate regis cadere universa
7 cumque rettulisset Apollonius ad regem
de pecuniis quae delatae erant
ille accitum Heliodorum qui erat super negotia eius
misit cum mandatis ut praedictam pecuniam transportaret
8 statimque Heliodorus iter adgressus
specie quidem quasi per Coelesyriam et Foenicen civitates esset
peragraturus
re autem vera regis propositum perfecturus
9 sed cum venisset Hierosolymam
et benigne a summo sacerdote in civitate esset exceptus
narravit de dato indicio pecuniarum
et cuius rei gratia adesset apparuit
interrogabat autem si vere haec ita essent
10 tunc summus sacerdos ostendit deposita esse haec
et victualia viduarum ac pupillorum
11 quaedam vero esse Hircani Tobiae viri valde eminentis
in his quae detulerat impius Simon
universa autem argenti talenta quadringenta esse et auri
ducenta
12 decipi vero eos qui credidissent loco et templo
quod per universum mundum honoratur
pro sui veneratione et sanctitate
inpossibile omnino esse
13 at ille pro his quae habebat in mandatis a rege
dicebat omni genere regiae deferenda
14 constituta autem die intrabat de his Heliodorus ordinaturus
non modica vero per universam civitatem erat trepidatio
15 sacerdotes autem ante altare cum sacerdotalibus stolis
iactaverunt se
et invocabant de caelo eum qui de depositis legem posuit
ut his qui deposuerant ea salva custodiret
16 iam vero qui videret summi sacerdotis vultum
mente vulnerabatur
facies enim et color inmutatus declarabat internum animi dolorem
17 circumfusa enim erat viro maestitia quaedam et horror
corporis
per quae manifestus aspicientibus dolor cordis
eius efficiebatur
18 alii etiam congregati de domibus confluebant
publica supplicatione obsecrantes
pro eo quod in contemptum locus esset venturus
19 accinctaeque mulieres ciliciis pectus per plateas confluebant
sed et virgines quae conclusae erant procurrebant ad Onian
aliae autem ad muros
quaedam vero per fenestras aspiciebant
20 universae autem protendentes manus in caelum deprecabantur
21 erat enim misera commixtae multitudinis
et magni sacerdotis in agone constituti expectatio
22 et hii quidem invocabant omnipotentem Deum
ut credita sibi his qui crediderant cum omni integritate conservarentur
23 Heliodorus autem quod decreverat perficiebat
eodem loco ipse cum satellitibus circa aerarium praesens
24 sed spiritus Omnipotentis
magnam fecit suae ostensionis evidentiam
ita ut omnes qui ausi fuerant parere ei ruentes Dei virtute
in dissolutionem et formidinem converterentur
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
26 alii etiam apparuerunt duo iuvenes
virtute decori optimi gloria speciosique amictu
qui circumsteterunt eum et ex utraque parte flagellabant
sine intermissione multis plagis verberantes
27 subito autem Heliodorus concidit in terram
eumque multa caligine circumfusum rapuerunt
atque in sella gestatoria positum eiecerunt
28 et is qui cum multis cursoribus et satellitibus praedictum ingressus
est aerarium portabatur
nullo sibi auxilium ferente manifesta cognita Dei virtute
29 et ille quidem per divinam virtutem iacebat mutus
30 hii autem Dominum benedicebant
quia magnificavit locum suum
et templum quod paulo ante timore ac tumultu erat plenum
apparente omnipotente Domino
gaudio et laetitia impletum est
31 tunc vero ex amicis Heliodori quidam rogabant
confestim Onian
ut invocaret Altissimum
et vitam donaret ei qui in supremo spiritu erat constitutus
32 considerans autem summus sacerdos ne forte rex suspicaretur
malitiam aliquam ex Iudaeis circa Heliodorum consummatam
obtulit pro salute viri hostiam salutarem
33 cumque summus sacerdos exoraret
idem iuvenes eisdem vestibus amicti adstantes Heliodoro dixerunt
Oniae sacerdoti gratias age
nam propter eum tibi Dominus vitam donavit
34 tu autem ab eo flagellatus
nuntia omnibus magnalia Dei et potestatem
et his dictis non conparuerunt
35 Heliodorus autem hostia Deo oblata
et votis magnis promisit ei qui vivere illi concessit
et Oniae gratias agens recepto exercitu repedabat ad regem
36 testabatur autem omnibus
ea quae sub oculis suis viderat opera magni Dei
37 cum autem rex interrogasset Heliodorum
quis est aptus adhuc semel Hierosolymam mitti
ait
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 quaedam
virtus
39 nam ipse qui habet in caelis habitationem
visitator et adiutor est loci illius
et venientes ad malefaciendum percutit ac perdit
40 igitur de Heliodoro et aerarii custodia ita se res habet
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,
2 It came to pass that even the kings themselves did honour the place, and magnify the temple with their best gifts;
3 Insomuch that Seleucus of Asia of his own revenues bare all the costs belonging to the service of the sacrifices.
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.
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,
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.
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.
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.
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.
10 Then the high priest told him that there was such money laid up for the relief of widows and fatherless children:
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:
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.
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.
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.
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 be kept, that they should safely be preserved for such as had committed them to be kept.
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.
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.
18 Others ran flocking out of their houses to the general supplication, because the place was like to come into contempt.
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.
20 And all, holding their hands toward heaven, made supplication.
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.
22 They then called upon the Almighty Lord to keep the things committed of trust safe and sure for those that had committed them.
23 Nevertheless Heliodorus executed that which was decreed.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
29 For he by the hand of God was cast down, and lay speechless without all hope of 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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
36 Then testified he to all men the works of the great God, which he had seen with his eyes.
37 And when the king asked Heliodorus, who might be a fit man to be sent yet once again to Jerusalem, he said,
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.
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.
40 And the things concerning Heliodorus, and the keeping of the treasury, fell out on this sort.