2 Maccabees 3

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	NOVA VULGATA
1 While the holy city lived in perfect peace and the laws were strictly observed because of the piety of the high priest Onias and his hatred of evil,	1 Cum sancta civitas habitaretur cum omni pace, et leges quam optimecustodirentur propter Oniae pontificis pietatem et odium malitiae,
2 the kings themselves honored the Place and glorified the temple with the most magnificent gifts.	2 fiebat utet ipsi reges locum honorarent et templum maximis muneribus illustrarent,
3 Thus Seleucus, king of Asia, defrayed from his own revenues all the expenses necessary for the sacrificial services.	3 itaut Seleucus quoque Asiae rex de redditibus suis praestaret omnes sumptus administeria sacrificiorum pertinentes.
4 But a certain Simon, of the priestly course of Bilgah, who had been appointed superintendent of the temple, had a quarrel with the high priest about the supervision of the city market.	4 Simon autem de tribu Belgae praepositustempli constitutus dissentiebat a principe sacerdotum de dispensatione incivitate.
5 Since he could not prevail against Onias, he went to Apollonius of Tarsus, who at that time was governor of Coelesyria and Phoenicia,	5 Et cum vincere Oniam non posset, venit ad Apollonium Tharseaefilium, qui eo tempore erat dux Coelesyriae et Phoenicis,
6 and reported to him that the treasury in Jerusalem was so full of untold riches that the total sum of money was incalculable and out of all proportion to the cost of the sacrifices, and that it would be possible to bring it all under the control of the king.	6 et nuntiavitpecuniis inenarrabilibus plenum esse aerarium Hierosolymis, ita ut multitudovectigalium innumerabilis esset et ea non pertinere ad rationem sacrificiorum;esse autem possibile sub potestate regis haec cadere.
7 When Apollonius had an audience with the king, he informed him about the riches that had been reported to him. The king chose his minister Heliodorus and sent him with instructions to expropriate the aforesaid wealth.	7 Collocutus autem Apollonius cum rege, de indicatis sibi pecuniis aperuit; atille vocans Heliodorum, qui erat super negotia, misit datis mandatis, utpraedictam pecuniam transportaret.
8 So Heliodorus immediately set out on his journey, ostensibly to visit the cities of Coelesyria and Phoenicia, but in reality to carry out the king's purpose.	8 Statimque Heliodorus iter est aggressus,specie quidem quasi per Coelesyriam et Phoenicen civitates esset peragraturus,re vera autem regis propositum perfecturus.
9 When he arrived in Jerusalem and had been graciously received by the high priest of the city, he told him about the information that had been given, and explained the reason for his presence, and he asked if these things were really true.	9 Sed cum venisset Hierosolymam etbenigne a summo sacerdote civitatis esset exceptus, narravit de dato indicio, etcuius rei gratia adesset aperuit; interrogabat autem, si vere haec ita essent.
10 The high priest explained that part of the money was a care fund for widows and orphans,	10 Tunc summus sacerdos ostendit deposita esse viduarum et pupillorum;
11 and a part was the property of Hyrcanus, son of Tobias, a man who occupied a very high position. Contrary to the calumnies of the impious Simon, the total amounted to four hundred talents of silver and two hundred of gold.	11 quaedam vero esse Hircani Thobiae, viri valde eminentis, non sicut detuleratobtrectans impius Simon; universa autem argenti talenta esse quadringenta etauri ducenta;
12 He added that it was utterly unthinkable to defraud those who had placed their trust in the sanctity of the Place and in the sacred inviolability of a temple venerated all over the world.	12 decipi vero eos, qui credidissent loci sanctitati et honoratiper universum mundum templi venerationi inviolabili tutelae, omnino impossibileesse.
13 But because of the orders he had from the king, Heliodorus said that in any case the money must be confiscated for the royal treasury.	13 At ille, pro his, quae habebat, mandatis a rege, omnino dicebat in regiumfiscum ea esse deferenda.
14 So on the day he had set he went in to take an inventory of the funds. There was great distress throughout the city.	14 Constituta autem die, intrabat de his visitationemordinaturus. Non modica vero per universam civitatem erat trepidatio.
15 Priests prostrated themselves in their priestly robes before the altar, and loudly begged him in heaven who had given the law about deposits to keep the deposits safe for those who had made them.	15 Sacerdotes autem ante altare cum stolis sacerdotalibus iactaverunt se etinvocabant in caelum eum, qui de deposito legem posuit, ut his, qui deposuerant,ea salva custodiret.
16 Whoever saw the appearance of the high priest was pierced to the heart, for the changed color of his face manifested the anguish of his soul.	16 Erat autem, ut qui videret summi sacerdotis vultum,mente vulneraretur; facies enim et color immutatus declarabat internum animidolorem.
17 The terror and bodily trembling that had come over the man clearly showed those who saw him the pain that lodged in his heart.	17 Circumfusus enim erat metus quidam viro, et horror corporis, undemanifestus aspicientibus dolor instans cordi efficiebatur.
18 People rushed out of their houses in crowds to make public supplication, because the Place was in danger of being profaned.	18 Alii autem dedomibus gregatim prosiliebant ad publicam supplicationem, pro eo quod incontemptum locus esset venturus.
19 Women, girded with sackcloth below their breasts, filled the streets; maidens secluded indoors ran together, some to the gates, some to the walls, others peered through the windows,	19 Accinctaeque mulieres ciliciis sub mammisper vias confluebant; sed et virgines, quae conclusae erant, aliae quidemprocurrebant ad ianuas, aliae autem ad muros, quaedam vero per fenestrasaspiciebant;
20 all of them with hands raised toward heaven, making supplication.	20 universae autem protendentes manus in caelum deprecabantur.
21 It was pitiful to see the populace variously prostrated in prayer and the high priest full of dread and anguish.	21 Erat enim misereri commixtae multitudinis prostrationem et summi sacerdotis inmagna agonia constituti exspectationem.
22 While they were imploring the almighty Lord to keep the deposits safe and secure for those who had placed them in trust,	22 Et hi quidem invocabant omnipotentemDominum, ut credita salva his, qui crediderant, conservaret cum omni tutela.
23 Heliodorus went on with his plan.	23 Heliodorus autem, quod fuerat decretum, perficiebat.
24 But just as he was approaching the treasury with his bodyguards, the Lord of spirits who holds all power manifested himself in so striking a way that those who had been bold enough to follow Heliodorus were panic-stricken at God's power and fainted away in terror.	24 Eodem loco, ipso cumsatellitibus circa aerarium praesente, spirituum et omnis potestatis Dominusmagnam fecit ostensionem, ita ut omnes, qui ausi fuerant convenire, perterritivirtute Dei in dissolutionem et formidinem converterentur.
25 There appeared to them a richly caparisoned horse, mounted by a dreadful rider. Charging furiously, the horse attacked Heliodorus with its front hoofs. The rider was seen to be wearing golden armor.	25 Apparuit enimillis quidam equus terribilem habens sessorem et optimo operimento adornatus;isque cum impetu invectus Heliodoro priores calces impegit; qui autemsupersedebat, videbatur arma habere aurea.
26 Then two other young men, remarkably strong, strikingly beautiful, and splendidly attired, appeared before him. Standing on each side of him, they flogged him unceasingly until they had given him innumerable blows.	26 Alii etiam apparuerunt duo iuvenesvirtute decori, optimi gloria speciosique amictu, qui etiam circumsteterunt eumet ex utraque parte flagellabant sine intermissione multas inferentes ei plagas.
27 Suddenly he fell to the ground, enveloped in great darkness. Men picked him up and laid him on a stretcher.	27 Subito autem concidit in terram; eumque multa caligine circumfusum rapueruntatque in sellam gestatoriam imposuerunt;
28 The man who a moment before had entered that treasury with a great retinue and his whole bodyguard was carried away helpless, having clearly experienced the sovereign power of God.	28 et eum, qui cum multis cursoribus etsatellitibus praedictum ingressus erat aerarium, portabant carentem auxilio exarmis constitutum, manifeste Dei virtutem cognoscentem.
29 While he lay speechless and deprived of all hope of aid, due to an act of God's power,	29 Et ille quidem perdivinam virtutem iacebat mutus atque omni spe et salute privatus;
30 the Jews praised the Lord who had marvelously glorified his holy Place; and the temple, charged so shortly before with fear and commotion, was filled with joy and gladness, now that the almighty Lord had manifested himself.	30 hi autemDominum benedicebant, qui magnificabat locum suum; et templum, quod paulo antetimore ac tumultu erat plenum, apparente omnipotente Domino, gaudio et laetitiaimpletum est.
31 Soon some of the companions of Heliodorus begged Onias to invoke the Most High, praying that the life of the man who was about to expire might be spared.	31 Confestim vero ex amicis Heliodori quidam rogabant Oniam, utinvocaret Altissimum, ut vitam donaret ei, qui prorsus in supremo spiritu eratconstitutus.
32 Fearing that the king might think that Heliodorus had suffered some foul play at the hands of the Jews, the high priest offered a sacrifice for the man's recovery.	32 Suspectus autem factus summus sacerdos, ne forte rex opinareturmalitiam aliquam ex Iudaeis circa Heliodorum consummatam, obtulit hostiam prosalute viri.
33 While the high priest was offering the sacrifice of atonement, the same young men in the same clothing again appeared and stood before Heliodorus. "Be very grateful to the high priest Onias," they told him. "It is for his sake that the Lord has spared your life.	33 Cumque summus sacerdos litationem perficeret, iidem iuvenesrursus apparuerunt Heliodoro eisdem vestibus amicti et astantes dixerunt: “Oniae summo sacerdoti multas gratias age, nam propter eum Dominus tibi vitamdonavit;
34 Since you have been scourged by Heaven, proclaim to all men the majesty of God's power." When they had said this, they disappeared.	34 tu autem a caelo flagellatus nuntia omnibus magnam Dei potestatem”. Et his dictis, non comparuerunt.
35 After Heliodorus had offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made most solemn vows to him who had spared his life, he bade Onias farewell, and returned with his soldiers to the king.	35 Heliodorus autem, hostia Domino oblata et votis magnis promissis ei, quivivere concessit, et Oniam acceptum habens cum exercitu repedavit ad regem;
36 Before all men he gave witness to the deeds of the most high God that he had seen with his own eyes.	36 testabatur autem omnibus ea, quae sub oculis suis viderat, opera maximi Dei.
37 When the king asked Heliodorus who would be a suitable man to be sent to Jerusalem next, he answered:	37 Cum autem rex interrogasset Heliodorum, quis esset aptus adhuc semelHierosolymam mitti, ait:
38 "If you have an enemy or a plotter against the government, send him there, and you will receive him back well-flogged, if indeed he survives at all; for there is certainly some special divine power about the Place.	38 “ Si quem habes hostem aut rerum insidiatorem,mitte eum illuc et flagellatum eum recipies, si tamen evaserit, eo quod in locosit vere Dei quaedam virtus;
39 He who has his dwelling in heaven watches over that Place and protects it, and he strikes down and destroys those who come to harm it."	39 nam ipse, qui habet in caelis habitationem,visitator et adiutor est loci illius et venientes ad malefaciendum percutit acperdit ”.
40 This was how the matter concerning Heliodorus and the preservation of the treasury turned out.	40 Igitur de Heliodoro et aerarii custodia ita res processerunt.