2 Maccabees 3

NEW JERUSALEM	DOUAI-RHEIMS
1 While the holy city was inhabited in al peace and the laws were observed as perfectly as possible,owing to the piety of Onias the high priest and his hatred of wickedness,	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 about that the kings themselves honoured the holy place and enhanced the glory of the Templewith the most splendid offerings,	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 even to the extent that Seleucus king of Asia defrayed from his own revenues al the expenses arisingout of the sacrificial liturgy.	3 So that Seleucus king of Asia allowed out of his revenues all the charges belonging to the ministry of the sacrifices.
4 But a certain Simon, of the tribe of Bilgah, on being appointed administrator of the Temple, came intoconflict with the high priest over the regulation of the city markets.	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 Unable to get the better of Onias, he went off to Apol onius, son of Thraseos, who was at that timecommander-in-chief of Coele-Syria and Phoenicia,	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 made out to him that the Treasury in Jerusalem was groaning with untold wealth, that the amountcontributed was incalculable and out of all proportion to expenditure on the sacrifice, but that it could al bebrought under the control of the king.	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 Apol onius met the king and told him about the wealth that had been disclosed to him; whereupon theking selected Heliodorus, his chancel or, and sent him with instructions to effect the removal of the reportedwealth.	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 Heliodorus lost no time in setting out, ostensibly to inspect the towns of Coele-Syria and Phoenicia, butin fact to accomplish the king's purpose.	8 So Heliodorus forthwith began his journey, under a colour of visiting the cities of Celesyria and Phenicia, but indeed to fulfil the king's purpose.
9 On his arrival in Jerusalem, and after a hospitable reception from the high priest and the city, heannounced what had been disclosed, thus revealing the reason for his presence, and asked if this was indeedthe true situation.	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 The high priest explained that there were funds set aside for widows and orphans,	10 Then the high priest told him that these were sums deposited, and provisions for the subsistence of the widows and the fatherless.
11 with some belonging to Hyrcanus son of Tobias, a man occupying a very exalted position, and thatthe whole sum, in contrast to what the evil Simon had al eged, amounted to four hundred talents of silver andtwo hundred of gold.	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 He also added that it was entirely out of the question that an injustice should be done to those whohad put their trust in the sanctity of the place and in the inviolable majesty of a Temple venerated throughout theentire world.	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 Heliodorus, because of his instructions from the king, peremptorily insisted that the funds must beconfiscated for the royal exchequer.	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 Fixing a day for the purpose, he went in to draw up an inventory of the funds. There was no littleconsternation throughout the city;	14 So on the day he had appointed, Heliodorus entered in to order this mattar. But there was no small terror throughout the whole city.
15 the priests in their sacred vestments prostrated themselves before the altar and prayed to Heaven, tothe Author of the law governing deposits, to preserve these funds intact for the depositors.	15 And the priests prostrated themselves 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 The appearance of the high priest was enough to pierce the heart of the beholder, his expression andhis altered colour betraying the anguish of his soul;	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 the man was so overwhelmed by fear and bodily trembling that those who saw him could not possiblymistake the distress he was suffering.	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 People rushed headlong from the houses, intent on making public supplication because of theindignity threatening the holy place.	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 Women thronged the streets swathed in sackcloth below their breasts; girls secluded indoors camerunning, some to the doorways, some to the city walls, while others leaned out of the windows,	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 al stretching out their hands to Heaven in entreaty.	20 And all holding up their hands towards heaven, made supplication.
21 It was pitiful to see the people crowding together to prostrate themselves, and the foreboding of thehigh priest in his deep anguish.	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 While they were cal ing on the al -powerful Lord to preserve the deposits intact for the depositors, inful security,	22 And these indeed called upon almighty God, to preserve the things that had been committed to them, safe and sure for those that had committed them.
23 Heliodorus set about his appointed task.	23 But Heliodorus executed that which he had resolved on, himself being present in the same place with his guard about the treasury.
24 He had already arrived with his bodyguard near the Treasury, when the Sovereign of spirits and ofevery power caused so great an apparition that all who had dared to accompany Heliodorus were dumbfoundedat the power of God and reduced to abject terror.	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 Before their eyes appeared a horse richly caparisoned and carrying a fearsome rider. Rearingviolently, it struck at Heliodorus with its forefeet. The rider was seen to be accoutred entirely in gold.	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 Two other young men of outstanding strength and radiant beauty, magnificently apparel ed, appearedto him at the same time and, taking their stand on each side of him, flogged him unremittingly, inflicting strokeafter stroke.	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 Suddenly Heliodorus fel to the ground, enveloped in thick darkness. His men came to his rescue andplaced him in a litter,	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 this man who but a moment before had made his way into the Treasury, as we said above, with agreat retinue and his whole bodyguard; and as they carried him away, powerless to help himself, they openlyacknowledged the sovereign power of God.	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 While Heliodorus lay prostrate under the divine visitation, speechless and bereft of al hope ofdeliverance,	29 And he indeed by the power of God lay speechless, and without all hope of recovery.
30 the Jews blessed the Lord who had miraculously glorified his own holy place. And the Temple, whicha little while before had been fil ed with terror and commotion, now overflowed with joy and gladness at themanifestation of the almighty Lord.	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 Some of Heliodorus' companions quickly begged Onias to entreat the Most High to grant the man hislife, lying as he did at the very point of death.	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 The high priest, afraid that the king might suspect the Jews of some foul play concerning Heliodorus,did indeed offer a sacrifice for the man's recovery.	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 while the high priest was performing the rite of expiation, the same young men again appeared toHeliodorus, wearing the same apparel and, standing beside him, said, 'Be very grateful to Onias the high priest,since it is for his sake that the Lord has granted you your life.	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 As for you, who have been scourged by Heaven, you must proclaim to everyone the grandeur ofGod's power.' So saying, they vanished.	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 Heliodorus offered sacrifice to the Lord and made most solemn vows to the preserver of his life, andthen took courteous leave of Onias and marched his forces back to the king.	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 He openly testified to everyone about the works of the supreme God which he had seen with his owneyes.	36 And he testified to all men the works of the great God, which he had seen with his own eyes.
37 When the king asked Heliodorus what sort of man would be the right person to send to Jerusalem ona second occasion, he replied,	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 you have some enemy or anyone disloyal to the state, send him there, and you wil get him backwel flogged, if he survives at al , since some peculiarly divine power attaches to the holy place.	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 He who has his dwel ing in heaven watches over the place and defends it, and he strikes down anddestroys those who come to harm it.'	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 This was the outcome of the affair of Heliodorus and the preservation of the Treasury.	40 And the things concerning Heliodorus, and the keeping of the treasury fell out in this manner.