2 Maccabees 3

Now when ^athe holy city was inhabited with all peace, and the laws were kept very well, because of the godliness of ^bOnias the high priest, and his hatred of wickedness, ²it came to pass that even the kings themselves did honour the place, and magnify the temple with their best ^cgifts; ³insomuch that ^dSeleucus king of ^eAsia of his own revenues bare all the costs belonging to the service of the sacrifices. ⁴But one ^eeSimon of the tribe of Benjamin, who was made governor of the temple, ^ffell out with the high priest about disorder in the city. ⁵And when he could not overcome Onias, he gat him to ^gApollonius the son of Thraseas, who then was governor of ^hCoelosyria and Phenice, ⁶and told him that ⁱthe treasury in Jerusalem was full of infinite sums of money, so that the multitude of their ^jriches, ^kwhich did not pertain to the account of the sacrifices, was innumerable, and that it was possible to bring all into the king’s hand. ⁷Now 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 ^lsent him with a commandment to bring him the foresaid money. ⁸So forthwith Heliodorus took his journey, ^munder a colour of visiting the cities of ^hCoelosyria and Phenice, but indeed to fulfil the king’s ⁿpurpose. ⁹And when he was come to Jerusalem, and had been ^ocourteously received of the high priest of the city, he ^ptold him what intelligence was given of the money, and ^qdeclared wherefore he came, and asked if these things were so indeed. ¹⁰Then the high priest told him that there was such ^rmoney laid up for the relief of ^swidows and fatherless children: ¹¹and 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 ^ttalents of silver, and two hundred of gold: ¹²and that it was altogether impossible that such wrong should be done unto them, ^uthat had committed it to the holiness of the place, and to the majesty and inviolable sanctity of the temple, honoured over all the world. ¹³But Heliodorus, ^vbecause of the king’s commandment given him, said, That in any wise it must be brought into the king’s treasury.

¹⁴So at the day which he appointed he entered in to order this matter: wherefore there was no small ^wagony throughout the whole city. ¹⁵But the priests, prostrating themselves before the altar ^xin their priests’ vestments, called unto heaven upon him that ^ymade a law concerning ^rthings given to be kept, that they should safely be preserved for ^usuch as had committed them to be kept. ¹⁶Then 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 ^wagony of his mind. ¹⁷For 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. ¹⁸Others ran flocking out of their houses ^zto the general supplication, because the place was like to come into contempt. ¹⁹And the women, ^agirt with sackcloth under their breasts, abounded in the streets, and the virgins that were kept in ran, some to the ^bgates, and some to the walls, and others looked out of the ^cwindows. ²⁰And all, holding their hands towards heaven, made supplication. ²¹Then 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 ^wagony. ²²They then called upon the Almighty Lord to keep the things committed of trust safe and sure for ^uthose that had committed them. ²³Nevertheless Heliodorus executed that which was decreed.

²⁴Now as he was there present himself with his guard about ^dthe treasury, the Lord of spirits, and the ^ePrince of all power, caused a great ^eeapparition, so that all that presumed to come in with him were astonished at the power of God, and fainted, and were sore afraid. ²⁵For there appeared unto them a 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 ^fharness of gold. ²⁶Moreover 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 ^ffscourged him ^gcontinually, and gave him many sore stripes. ²⁷And 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 ^gga litter. ²⁸Thus him, that lately came with a great train and with all his guard into the said ^dtreasury, they carried out, being unable to help himself with his weapons: and manifestly they acknowledged the power of God: ²⁹for he by the hand of God was cast down, and lay speechless without all hope of life. ³⁰But 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 ^hAlmighty Lord appeared, was filled with joy and gladness.

³¹Then straightways certain of Heliodorus’ friends prayed Onias, ⁱthat he would call upon the most High to grant him his life, who lay ready to give up the ghost. ³²So the high priest, ^jsuspecting 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. ³³Now as the high priest was making an atonement, ^kthe same young men in the same clothing appeared and stood beside Heliodorus, saying, Give Onias the high priest great thanks, insomuch as ⁱfor his sake the Lord hath granted thee life: ³⁴and 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. ³⁵So Heliodorus, after he had offered sacrifice unto the Lord, and made great vows unto him that had saved his life, and ^lsaluted Onias, returned with his host to the king. ³⁶Then testified he to all men the works of the great God, which he had seen with his eyes. ³⁷And when the king asked Heliodorus, who might be a fit man to be sent yet once again to Jerusalem, he said, ³⁸If thou hast any enemy or ^mtraitor, 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. ³⁹For ⁿhe that dwelleth in heaven hath his eye on that place, and defendeth it; and he beateth and destroyeth them that come to hurt it. ⁴⁰And the things concerning Heliodorus, and the keeping of ^dthe treasury, fell out on this sort.

IV.