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

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

2 fiebat ut et ipsi reges et principes locum summo honore dignum ducerent, et templum maximis muneribus illustrarent:

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

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

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

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 Sed cum vincere Oniam non posset, venit ad Apollonium Tharsææ filium, qui eo tempore erat dux Cœlesyriæ et Phœnicis:

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

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 Cumque retulisset ad regem Apollonius de pecuniis quæ delatæ erant, illæ accitum Heliodorum, qui erat super negotia ejus, misit, cum mandatis ut prædictam pecuniam transportaret.

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 Statimque Heliodorus iter est agressus, specie quidem quasi per Cœlesyriam et Phœnicen civitates esset peragraturus, re vera autem regis propositum perfecturus.

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 Sed cum venisset Jerosolymam, et benigne a summo sacerdote in civitate esset exceptus, narravit de dato indicio pecuniarum, et cujus rei gratia adesset, aperuit: interrogabat autem si vere hæc ita essent.

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

10 Tunc summus sacerdos ostendit deposita esse hæc, et victualia viduarum et pupillorum:

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

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

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 At ille pro his quæ habebat in mandatis a rege, dicebat omni genere regi ea esse deferenda.

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 Constituta autem die, intrabat de his Heliodorus ordinaturus. Non modica vero per universam civitatem erat trepidatio.

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.

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

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 Jam vero qui videbat summi sacerdotis vultum, mente vulnerabatur: facies enim et color immutatus declarabat internum animi dolorem:

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 circumfusa enim erat mœstitia quædam viro, et horror corporis, per quem manifestus aspicientibus dolor cordis ejus efficiebatur.

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

18 Alii etiam gregatim de domibus confluebant, publica supplicatione obsecrantes, pro eo quod in contemptum locus esset venturus.

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 Accinctæque mulieres ciliciis pectus, per plateas confluebant: sed et virgines quæ conclusæ erant, procurrebant ad Oniam, aliæ autem ad muros, quædam vero per fenestras aspiciebant:

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

20 universæ autem protendentes manus in cælum, deprecabantur:

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 erat enim misera commistæ multitudinis, et magni sacerdotis in agone constituti exspectatio.

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 Et hi quidem invocabant omnipotentem Deum, ut credita sibi his qui crediderant, cum omni integritate conservarentur.

23 Nevertheless Heliodorus executed that which was decreed.

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

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 Sed spiritus omnipotentis Dei magnam fecit suæ ostensionis evidentiam, ita ut omnes qui ausi fuerant parere ei, ruentes Dei virtute, in dissolutionem et formidinem converterentur.

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

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

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

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

29 et ille quidem per divinam virtutem jacebat mutus, atque omni spe et salute privatus.

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 Hi autem Dominum benedicebant, quia magnificabat locum suum: et templum, quod paulo ante timore ac tumultu erat plenum, apparente omnipotente Domino, gaudio et lætitia impletum est.

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 Tunc vero ex amicis Heliodori quidam rogabant confestim Oniam, ut invocaret Altissimum ut vitam donaret ei qui in supremo spiritu erat constitutus.

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

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 Cumque summus sacerdos exoraret, iidem juvenes eisdem vestibus amicti astantes Heliodoro, dixerunt: Oniæ sacerdoti gratias age: nam propter eum Dominus tibi vitam donavit.

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 Tu autem a Deo flagellatus, nuntia omnibus magnalia Dei, et potestatem. Et his dictis, non comparuerunt.

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

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

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

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

37 Cum autem rex interrogasset Heliodorum, quis esset aptus adhuc semel Jerosolymam mitti, ait:

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

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 Nam ipse, qui habet in cælis habitationem, visitator et adjutor est loci illius, et venientes ad malefaciendum percutit ac perdit.

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

40 Igitur de Heliodoro et ærarii custodia ita res se habet.