2 Maccabees 3

NEW JERUSALEM	KING JAMES BIBLE
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 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,
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 did honour the place, and magnify the temple with their best 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 Insomuch that Seleucus of Asia of his own revenues bare all the costs belonging to the service 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 made governor of the temple, fell out with the high priest about disorder 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 gat him to Apollonius the son of Thraseas, who then was governor of Celosyria and Phenice,
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 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.
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 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.
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 forthwith Heliodorus took his journey; under a colour of visiting the cities of Celosyria and Phenice, 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 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.
10 The high priest explained that there were funds set aside for widows and orphans,	10 Then the high priest told him that there was such money laid up for the relief of widows and fatherless children:
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 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:
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 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.
13 But Heliodorus, because of his instructions from the king, peremptorily insisted that the funds must beconfiscated for the royal exchequer.	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.
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 at the day which he appointed he entered in to order this matter: wherefore there was no small agony 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 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 he kept, that they should safely be preserved for such as had committed them to be kept.
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 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.
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 fear and horror of the body, that it was manifest to them that looked upon him, what sorrow he had now in his heart.
18 People rushed headlong from the houses, intent on making public supplication because of theindignity threatening the holy place.	18 Others ran flocking out of their houses to the general 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, 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.
20 al stretching out their hands to Heaven in entreaty.	20 And all, holding their hands toward 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 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.
22 While they were cal ing on the al -powerful Lord to preserve the deposits intact for the depositors, inful security,	22 They then called upon the Almighty Lord to keep the things committed of trust safe and sure for those that had committed them.
23 Heliodorus set about his appointed task.	23 Nevertheless Heliodorus executed that which was decreed.
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 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.
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 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.
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 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.
27 Suddenly Heliodorus fel to the ground, enveloped in thick darkness. His men came to his rescue andplaced him in a litter,	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.
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 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.
29 While Heliodorus lay prostrate under the divine visitation, speechless and bereft of al hope ofdeliverance,	29 For he by the hand of God was cast down, and lay speechless without all hope of life.
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, 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.
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 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.
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, 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.
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 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:
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 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.
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 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.
36 He openly testified to everyone about the works of the supreme God which he had seen with his owneyes.	36 Then testified he to all men the works of the great God, which he had seen with his 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 Heliodorus, who might be a fit man to be sent yet once again 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, 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.
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 dwelleth in heaven hath his eye on that place, and defendeth it; and he beateth and destroyeth them that come to hurt 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 on this sort.