Secondo libro dei Maccabei 3

BIBBIA TINTORI	DOUAI-RHEIMS
1 Nel tempo in cui la santa città godeva completa pace e le leggi erano pure osservate esattamente, per la pietà del pontefice Onia e, per l'odio ch'egli portava all'iniquità,	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 avveniva che gli stessi re e i principi onorassero il luogo santo e ornassero il tempio di magnifici doni,	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 tanto che lo stesso Seleuco, re d'Asia, somministrava del suo tutte le spese necessarie al servizio dei sacrifizi.	3 So that Seleucus king of Asia allowed out of his revenues all the charges belonging to the ministry of the sacrifices.
4 Ma un certo Simone, della tribù di Beniamino, creato sopraintendente del tempio, faceva ogni sforzo, per macchinare qualche cosa di empio in città, non ostante l'opposizione del sommo sacerdote.	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 Non potendo averla vinta contro Onia, andò a trovare Apollonio figlio di Tarsea, che allora governava la Celesiria e la Fenicia,	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 e gli disse che Ovario di Gerusalemme era pieno d'innumerevoli ricchezze, e il tesoro pubblico, il quale nulla aveva a che fare coi sacrifizi, era immenso, e che era possibile far passar tutto nelle mani del re.	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 Avendo Apollonio avvisato il m riguardo alle ricchezze delle quali aveva sentito parlare, il richiamato Eliodoro, suo amministratore, lo spedì coll'ordine di portar via tutto quel danaro.	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 Eliodoro si mise subito in viaggio, col pretesto di visitare la Celesiria e la Fenicia, ma in realtà per eseguire l'ordine del re.	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 Giunto a Gerusalemme, e accolto con ogni cortesia in città dal pontefice Onia, gli raccontò delle notizie avute riguardo alle ricchezze, e gli manifestò lo scopo della sua venuta, domandando se le cose stessero in quella maniera.	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 Allora il sommo sacerdote gli dimostrò che tali cose eran depositi pel sostentamento delle vedove e degli orfani;	10 Then the high priest told him that these were sums deposited, and provisions for the subsistence of the widows and the fatherless.
11 e che le cose di cui aveva parlato l'empio Simene, in parte erano d'Ircano di Tobia, uomo di gran condizione, e che in tutto v'erano quattrocento talenti d'argento e duecento talenti d'oro;	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 e che poi dovessero essere defraudati quelli i quali avevano affidato il suo a quel luogo, a quel tempio onorato come santo e venerato da tutta la terra, non era da permettersi in verun modo.	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 L'altro, adducendo gli ordini del re, sosteneva che tutto in ogni modo doveva esser portato al re.	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 Fissato il giorno, Eliodoro entrò nel tempio per sbrigare l'affare, e non poca era la trepidazione per tutta la città.	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 I sacerdoti stavan prostrati per terra colle loro vesti sacerdotali davanti all'altare, e invocavano dal cielo Colui che aveva fatta la legge sui depositi, affinchè li conservasse intatti a chi li aveva depositati.	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 Chi poi avesse osservato il volto del sommo sacerdote, si sentiva passar il cuore, perchè la faccia e il cambiamento di colore mostravano l'interno dolore dell'animo:	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 la mestizia di cui era ravvolto, lo spavento che traspariva dal corpo manifestavano, a chi l'avesse veduto, il dolore del suo cuore.	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 Alcuni si precipitarono a frotte dalle loro case a scongiurare con pubbliche preghiere che quel luogo non fosse esposto al disprezzo.	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 Le donne, coi cilizi sul petto, si affollavano sulle piazze; anche le vergini, che stavano rinchiuse, correvano chi verso Onia, chi verso le mura, e chi stava a guardar dalla finestra;	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 e tutte, alzando al cielo le mani, pregavano.	20 And all holding up their hands towards heaven, made supplication.
21 Faceva compassione quella folla confusa, e l'attesa angosciosa del sommo sacerdote.	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 Mentre questi supplicavano l'onnipotente Dio, a far conservare intatto, per quelli che avevan fatti i depositi, quello che era loro stato affidato,	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 Eliodoro eseguiva i suoi disegni, ed era già coi suoi satelliti presso l'erario.	23 But Heliodorus executed that which he had resolved on, himself being present in the same place with his guard about the treasury.
24 Ma lo Spirito di Dio Onnipotente si manifestò grandemente, e con tanta evidenza che tutti quelli i quali ebbero l'audacia d'obbedire a Eliodoro, rovesciati per terra dalla virtù divina, ri­masero privi di forze e pieni di spavento.	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 Apparve loro un cavallo montato da terribile cavaliere; il cavallo, che era riccamente bardato, coi piedi anteriori diede furiosissimi calci a Eliodoro; il cavaliere che lo montava pareva che avesse armi d'oro.	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 Di più comparvero due giovani forti e belli e maestosi e magnificamente vestiti: questi, postisi un di qua e un di là da Eliodoro, lo flagellavano senza posa con molte nerbate.	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 Eliodoro cadde subito per terra ravvolto in densa caligine, e fu preso, messo in una lettiga e portato fuori.	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 Così colui che era entrato con tanti satelliti nel detto tesoro, era portato via, senza che nessuno lo potesse aiutare, vedendovi tutti chiaramente la mano di Dio.	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 Così egli sotto la potenza divina giaceva muto, senza alcuna speranza di salvezza,	29 And he indeed by the power of God lay speechless, and without all hope of recovery.
30 di altri invece benedicevano il Signore, perchè aveva glorificato la sua casa; e il tempio che avanti era pieno di terrore e di tumulto, all'apparir del Signore Onnipotente fu ripieno di gaudio e di letizia.	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 Allora degli amici d'Eliodoro si misero subito a pregare Onia d'invocare l'Altissimo, affinchè ridonasse la vita a colui che era già ridotto agli estremi.	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 Il sommo sacerdote, considerando che forse il re avrebbe potuto sospettare che i Giudei avessero fatto qualche tradimento a Eliodoro, offerse vittime salutari per la sua guarigione.	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 Mentre il sommo sacerdote pregava, i due medesimi giovani, vestiti delle stesse vesti, si accostarono a Eliodoro, e gli dissero: « Ringrazia il sommo sacerdote Onia, perchè in grazia sua il Signore ti dona la vita.	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 Or tu, castigato da Dio, racconta a tutti le maraviglie di Dio e la sua potenza ». Ciò detto sparirono.	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 Eliodoro, dopo aver offerto sacrifizio a Dio e fatti voti a colui che gli aveva donata la vita, e ringraziato Onia, presa con sè la sua gente, tornò al re,	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 a raccontare a tutti le opere del grande Dio, da lui vedute coi propri occhi.	36 And he testified to all men the works of the great God, which he had seen with his own eyes.
37 Avendo poi il re domandato a Eliodoro chi potesse essere capace per esser mandato un'altra volta a Gerusalemme, rispose:	37 And when the king asked Heliodorus, who might be a fit man to be sent yet once more to Jerusalem, he said:
38 « Se tu hai nel regno qualche nemico o traditore, mandalo là, chè ti tornerà flagellato, se riuscirà a scamparla, perchè senza dubbio v'è in quel luogo una forza divina;	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 e colui che abita nei cieli veglia su quel luogo e lo protegge, e percuote e stermina chi va per farvi del male ».	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 Così andaron le cose riguardo a Eliodoro e alla conservazione del tesoro sacro.	40 And the things concerning Heliodorus, and the keeping of the treasury fell out in this manner.