Secondo libro dei Maccabei 3

BIBBIA RICCIOTTI	DOUAI-RHEIMS
1 Essendo dunque in tutta pace abitata la città santa, e tuttora gelosamente osservate le leggi, a causa della pietà del pontefice Onia, e dell’odio che tutti avevano al male,	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 principi [stranieri] credevano degno di sommo onore il luogo [santo] , ed arricchivano il tempio con doni grandissimi;	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 Seieuco re dell’Asia pagava delle sue rendite tutte le spese concernenti il ministero de’ sacrifizi.	3 So that Seleucus king of Asia allowed out of his revenues all the charges belonging to the ministry of the sacrifices.
4 Ora, Simone della tribù di Beniamino, fatto intendente del tempio, tentava resistendogli però il principe de’sacerdoti, di macchinare nella città qualcosa d'iniquo.	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 E non avendo potuto spuntarla con Onta, andò ad Apollonio figlio di Tarsea, prefetto allora della Celesiria e della 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 annunziò che l’erario in Gerusalemme riboccava di danaro senza numero, che il pubblico tesoro era immenso, nè serviva alle spese de’ sacrifizi, e che era possibile far cader ogni cosa in possesso 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 riferito al re quel che gli era stato riportato intorno a quelle ricchezze, il re chiamò Eliodoro sopraintendente a’ suoi affari, e lo inviò [a Gerusalemme] con l’ordine di portar via quel tesoro.	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 Subito Eliodoro si mise in viaggio; in apparenza, come se fosse per visitar le città della Celesiria e della Fenicia, ma in realtà per eseguire la volontà 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 in Gerusalemme, e benevolmente accolto in quella città dal sommo sacerdote, disse dell'informazione datagli intorno al tesoro, e non nascose il motivo pel quale era venuto; ma domandò se così veramente stavan le cose.	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 quelli eran depositi e sostentamento di vedove e di pupilli;	10 Then the high priest told him that these were sums deposited, and provisions for the subsistence of the widows and the fatherless.
11 che parte di quanto gli aveva riferito l’empio Simone apparteneva ad Ircano figlio di Tobia, uomo molto eminente; e che in tutto erano quattrocento talenti d’argento e duecento 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 Che poi avessero a restar defraudati quelli che li avevano affidati ad un luogo e ad un tempio onorato in tutto il mondo per la sua maestà e santità, era addirittura impossibile.	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 Ma quegli, secondo quanto aveva avuto ordine dal re ripeteva che tutto ciò doveva assolutamente esser consegnato 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 Al giorno prefisso Eliodoro si fece avanti per venir ai fatti e tutta la città era in grand’emozione.	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, in veste sacerdotale prostrati innanzi all’altare, invocavano dal cielo colui che aveva posta la legge dei depositi, acciò li serbasse intatti a quelli che ve li avevano collocati.	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 guardava in viso il sommo sacerdote, ne rimaneva commosso, perchè il suo aspetto e la mutazione del suo colore tradivano l’Interno suo 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 egli infatti spirava mestizia da tutta la persona, ed il tremito del suo corpo manifestava a chi lo rimirava 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 Altri a gruppi accorrevano dalle case a supplicar con pubbliche preghiere perchè il luogo santo stava per essere conculcato.	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, cinte il petto di cilizi affluivano per le piazze; fin anche delle vergini che stavano ritirate, alcune accorrevano ad Onia, altre alle mura ed altre rimiravano dalle finestre;	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 tutte poi, levando al cielo le mani, si raccomandavano.	20 And all holding up their hands towards heaven, made supplication.
21 Era veramente compassionevole lo spettacolo di quella confusa moltitudine e del gran sacerdote posto in tal angustia.	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 Quelli dunque invocavano l'onnipotente Iddio, acciò i depositi a loro affidati restassero intatti a quelli che li avevano consegnati.	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 però, per eseguire nel luogo stesso quel che aveva stabilito venne co' 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 con grande evidenza, in guisa che tutti quelli i quali avevano osato obbedire ad Eliodoro, rovesciati per divina virtù, furon colpiti da impotenza e 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 Poiché apparve loro un cavallo ornato di ricchissima bardatura, con sopra un terribile cavaliere; coi piedi davanti dava furiosi calci ad Eliodoro; e quegli che lo cavalcava appariva aver armatura 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 Apparvero poi, altri due giovani, di vigoroso aspetto, splendidi di bellezza essi e le loro vesti, che misero in mezzo Eliodoro, e da ambedue le parti lo flagellavano senza posa con ripetuti colpi.	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 Egli cadde subitamente per terra, circonfuso da profonda caligine; lo presero e messolo su una sedia portatile lo condussero via.	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 Cosi, quegli ehe con tanti cursori e satelliti era entrato in quell’erario, veniva portato via per manifesta riconosciuta virtù di Dio, senza che alcuno gli recasse aiuto.	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 Egli per quella divina potenza giaceva muto, privo d’ogni speranza di salvezza;	29 And he indeed by the power of God lay speechless, and without all hope of recovery.
30 gli altri invece benedicevano il Signore perché glorificava il suo luogo, ed il tempio, che poco prima era pieno di spavento e d’agitazione, per quella manifestazione dell’onnipotente Signore si riempi di letizia e di gaudio.	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 Ma allora alcuni amici d’Eliodoro si raccomandarono ad Onia, acciò pregasse l’Altissimo a risparmiar la vita di colui che era 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 Ed il sommo sacerdote, considerando che il re avrebbe potuto sospettare di qualche malizia de' Giudei a danno di Eliodoro, offri per la sua salvezza un sacrifizio salutare.	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 Or mentre il sommo sacerdote pregava, que' medesimi vestiti, vestiti dalle medesime vesti si fecero innanzi ad Eliodoro, e gli dissero: «Rendi grazie al sacerdote Onia, perchè per amor suo il Signore t’ha lasciato in 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 Tu poi, così da Dio flagellato, annunzia a tutti la grandezza e potenza di Dio». Ciò detto, disparvero.	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 infatti, offerto a Dio un sacrifizio, fatte grandi promesse e voti a lui che gli aveva salvata la vita, e rese grazie ad Onia, preso con sè il suo esercito ritornò 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 ed a tutti rendeva testimonianza delle opere del gran Dio, che aveva vedute co’suoi occhi.	36 And he testified to all men the works of the great God, which he had seen with his own eyes.
37 Quando poi il re domandò ad Eliodoro chi sarebbe adatto a venir 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 hai un nemico o un insidiatore del regno tuo, mandalo là, e ti ritornerà flagellato, seppure la scamperà; perchè in quel luogo c’ è veramente come la potenza di Dio;	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 perchè quegli che abita ne’ cieli visita e custodisce quel luogo e percuote e disperde quelli che vanno 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 dunque passaron le cose, quanto ad Eliodoro, ed alla conservazione dell’erario. Malvagità d’alcuni sommi sacerdoti,	40 And the things concerning Heliodorus, and the keeping of the treasury fell out in this manner.