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chapter 3
1
Therefore
when the holy city was inhabited with all peace, and the laws as yet were very
well kept, because of the godliness of Onias the high priest, and the hatred
his soul had of evil,
2 It came to pass that even the kings themselves, and
the princes esteemed the place worthy of the highest honour, and glorified the
temple with very great gifts:
3 So that Seleucus king of Asia allowed out of his
revenues all the charges be- longing to the ministry of the sacrifices.
4 But one Simon of the tribe of Benjamin, who was
appointed overseer of the temple, strove in opposition to the high priest, to
bring about some unjust thing in the city.
5 And when he could not overcome Onias he went to
Apollonius the son of Tharseas, who at that time was governor of Celesyria and
Phenicia:
6 And told him, that the treasury in Jerusalem was full
of immense sums of money, and the common store was infinite, which did not
belong to the account of the sacrifices: and that it was possible to bring all
into the king's hands.
7 Now when Apollonius had given the king notice
concerning the money that he was told of, he called for Heliodorus, who had the
charge over his affairs, and sent him with commission to bring him the foresaid
money.
8 So Heliodorus forthwith began his journey, under a
colour of visiting the cities of Celesyria and Phenicia, but in- deed to fulfil
the king's purpose.
9 And when he was come to Jerusalem, and had been
courteously received in the city by the high priest, he told him what
information had been given concerning the money: and declared the cause for
which he was come: and asked if these things were so indeed.
10 Then the high priest told him that these were sums
deposited, and provisions for the subsistence of the widows and the fatherless.
11 And that some part of that which wicked Simon had
given intelligence of, belonged to Hircanus son of Tobias, a man of great
dignity: and that the whole was four hundred talents of silver, and two hundred
of gold:
12 But that to deceive them who had trusted to the
place and temple which is honoured throughout the whole world, for the
reverence and holiness of it, was a thing which could not by any means be done.
13 But he, by reason of the orders he had received from
the king, said that by :all means the money must be carried to the king.
14 So on the day he had appointed, Heliodorus entered
in to order this mat- tar. But there was no small terror throughout the whole
city.
15 And the priests prostrated them- selves before the
altar in their priests' vestments, and called upon him from heaven, who made
the law concerning things given to be kept, that he would preserve them safe,
for them that had deposited them.
16 Now whosoever saw the countenance of the high
priest, was wounded in heart: for his face, and the changing of his colour
declared the inward sorrow of his mind.
17 For the man was so compassed with sadness and horror
of the body, that it was manifest to them that beheld him, what sorrow he had
in his heart.
18 Others also came hocking together out of their
houses, praying and making public supplication, because the place was like to
come into contempt.
19 And the women, girded with haircloth about their
breasts, came together in the streets. And the virgins also that were shut up,
came forth, some to Onias, and some to the walls, and others looked out of the
windows.
20 And all holding up their hands towards heaven, made
supplication.
21 For the expectation of the mixed multitude, and of
the high priest who was in an agony, would have moved any one to pity.
22 And these indeed called upon al- mighty God, to
preserve the things that had been committed to them, safe and sure for those
that had committed them.
23 But Heliodorus executed that which he had resolved
on, himself being present in the same place with his guard about the treasury.
24 But the spirit of the almighty God gave a great
evidence of his presence, so that all that had presumed to obey him, falling
down by the power of God, were struck with fainting and dread.
25 For there appeared to them a horse with a terrible
rider upon him, adorned with a very rich covering: and he ran fiercely and
struck Heliodorus with his fore feet, and he that sat upon him seemed to have
armour of gold.
26 Moreover there appeared two other young men
beautiful and strong, bright and glorious, and in comely apparel: who stood by
him, on either side, and scourged him without ceasing with many stripes.
27 Arid Heliodorus suddenly fell to the ground, and
they took him up covered with great darkness, and having put him into a litter
they carried him out.
28 So he that came with many servants, and all his
guard into the aforesaid treasury, was carried out, no one being able to help
him, the manifest power of God being known.
29 And he indeed by the power of God lay speechless,
and without all hope of recovery.
30 But they praised the Lord because he had glorified
his place: and the temple, that a little before was full of fear and trouble,
when the almighty Lord appeared, was filled with joy and gladness.
31 Then some of the friends of Heliodorus forthwith
begged of Onias, that he would call upon the most High to grant him his life,
who was ready to give up the ghost.
32 So the high priest considering that the king might
perhaps suspect that some mischief had been done to Heliodorus by the Jews,
offered a sacrifice of health for the recovery of the man.
33 And when the high priest was praying, the same young
men in the same clothing stood by Heliodorus, and said to him: Give thanks to
Onias the priest: because for his sake the Lord hath granted thee life.
34 And thou having been scourged by God, declare unto
all men the great works and the power of God. And having spoken thus, they
appeared no more.
35 So Heliodorus after he had offered a sacrifice to
God, and made great vows to him, that had granted him life, and given thanks to
Onias, taking his troops with him, returned to the king.
36 And he testified to all men the works of the great
God, which he had seen with his own eyes.
37 And when the king asked Heliodorus, who might be a
fit man to be sent yet once more to Jerusalem, he said:
38 If thou hast any enemy or traitor to thy kingdom,
send him thither, and thou shalt receive him again scourged, if so be he
escape: for there is undoubtedly in that place a certain power of God.
39 For he that hath his dwelling in the heavens, is the
visitor, and protector of that place, and he striketh and destroyeth them that
come to do evil to it.
40 And the things concerning Heliodorus, and the
keeping of the treasury fell out in this manner.
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