2 Macabeos 3

EL LIBRO DEL PUEBLO DE DIOS	DOUAI-RHEIMS
1 Cuando la Ciudad santa se encontraba en completa paz y las leyes se observaban a la perfección, gracias a la piedad y a la rectitud del Sumo Sacerdote Onías,	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 solía suceder que hasta los mismos reyes honraban el Santuario y lo enriquecían con espléndidos regalos,	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 hasta tal punto que Seleuco, rey de Asia, mantenía con sus propios recursos todas las expensas para la celebración de los sacrificios.	3 So that Seleucus king of Asia allowed out of his revenues all the charges belonging to the ministry of the sacrifices.
4 Pero un tal Simón, de la familia de Bilgá, que había sido designado administrador del Templo, tuvo diferencias con el Sumo Sacerdote en lo relativo al control de los mercados de la ciudad.	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 Como no lograba imponerse a Onías, acudió a Apolonio de Tarso, que era entonces gobernador de Celesiria y de 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 y le comunicó que el tesoro de Jerusalén estaba repleto de incontables riquezas, tanto que la cantidad de dinero era incalculable y muy superior al presupuesto de los sacrificios, y nada impedía que fuera puesto a disposición del rey.	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 En la audiencia con el rey, Apolonio lo puso al tanto de las riquezas que la habían sido denunciadas, y el rey designó a Heliodoro, su encargado de negocios, y lo envió con la orden de incautarse de aquellos tesoros.	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 Heliodoro emprendió inmediatamente el viaje, fingiendo que inspeccionaba las ciudades de Celesiria y Fenicia, aunque su intención era cumplir los planes del rey.	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 Al llegar a Jerusalén, fue recibido amistosamente por el Sumo Sacerdote de la ciudad, al que informó sobre la denuncia que se había hecho y le manifestó el motivo de su presencia, preguntándole si todo eso era verdad.	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 El Sumo Sacerdote le explicó que se trataba de unos depósitos pertenecientes a las viudas y a los huérfanos,	10 Then the high priest told him that these were sums deposited, and provisions for the subsistence of the widows and the fatherless.
11 y que una parte pertenecía a Hircano, hijo de Tobías, que era un personaje de posición muy elevada. Contrariamente a la calumniosa denuncia de Simón, el total ascendía a cuatrocientos talentos de plata y doscientos de 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 Y no se podía defraudar a los que habían depositado su confianza en la santidad de ese Lugar y en la inviolable majestad de aquel Templo venerado en todo el mundo.	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 Pero Heliodoro, siguiendo las órdenes del rey, sostenía inflexiblemente que aquellas riquezas debían ser confiscadas en beneficio del tesoro real.	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 En la fecha fijada, Heliodoro procedió a realizar el inventario de los bienes, con gran consternación de toda la ciudad:	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 los sacerdotes, postrados ante el altar con sus ornamentos sagrados, suplicaban al Cielo, que había dictado la ley sobre los bienes en depósito, rogándole que los conservara intactos para quienes los había depositado.	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 A uno se le partía el alma con solo mirar el rostro del Sumo Sacerdote, porque su aspecto y su palidez revelaban la angustia de su alma.	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 El miedo y el temblor estremecían todo su cuerpo, descubriendo a quienes lo observaban el sufrimiento de su corazón.	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 Además, algunos salían de sus casas en grupos para hacer rogativas públicas, a causa del inminente ultraje a que se vería expuesto el Santuario;	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 las mujeres, ceñidas de cilicio debajo de los senos, se aglomeraban en las calles; las más jóvenes, habitualmente recluidas, corrían, unas a las puertas, otras a los muros, y otras, se asomaban por las ventanas.	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 Todas elevaban sus plegarias con los brazos extendidos hacia el Cielo.	20 And all holding up their hands towards heaven, made supplication.
21 Daba pena ver a la muchedumbre postrada desordenadamente, y al Sumo Sacerdote lleno de ansiedad y de 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 Mientras ellos rogaban al Señor todopoderoso que guardara intactos los bienes depositados, dando plena seguridad a sus dueños.	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 Heliodoro, por su parte, comenzó a ejecutar lo que se había propuesto.	23 But Heliodorus executed that which he had resolved on, himself being present in the same place with his guard about the treasury.
24 Pero cuando ya se encontraba con su escolta junto al Tesoro, el Soberano de los espíritus y de toda Potestad se manifestó tan esplendorosamente que todos los que se habían atrevido a venir con él, heridos por el poder de Dios, quedaron sin fuerzas y acobardados.	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 Porque se les apareció un caballo montado por un temible jinete y ricamente enjaezado, el cual, arrojándose con ímpetu, levantó contra Heliodoro sus cascos delanteros. El jinete aparecía cubierto con una armadura de 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 También se le aparecieron otros dos jóvenes de extraordinario vigor, resplandecientes por su hermosura y vestidos espléndidamente: ellos se pusieron uno a cada lado y lo azotaban sin cesar, moliéndolo a golpes.	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 Heliodoro cayó en tierra, envuelto en una densa oscuridad, y en seguida lo recogieron y lo sacaron en una camilla.	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 Así llevaban ahora, incapaz de valerse por sí mismo, al que poco antes había entrado al Tesoro, acompañado de numeroso séquito y de toda su escolta. Y todos reconocieron claramente la soberanía de Dios.	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 Mientras él yacía derribado por la fuerza divina, sin habla y sin esperanza de salvación,	29 And he indeed by the power of God lay speechless, and without all hope of recovery.
30 los judíos bendecían al Señor, que había glorificado su propio Lugar. El Templo, que poco antes había estado lleno de miedo y consternación, desbordaba ahora de alegría y de júbilo por la manifestación del Señor todopoderoso.	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 En seguida, algunos de los acompañantes de Heliodoro rogaron a Onías que invocara al Altísimo a fin de que perdonara la vida al que ya estaba a punto de expirar.	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 El Sumo Sacerdote, temiendo que el rey sospechara que los judíos habían atentado contra Heliodoro, ofreció un sacrificio por su curación.	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 Mientras el Sumo Sacerdote ofrecía el sacrificio de expiación, se aparecieron otra vez a Heliodoro los mismos jóvenes, cubiertos con las mismas vestiduras y, puestos de pie, le dijeron: «Da muchas gracias al Sumo Sacerdote Onías, porque por su intercesión el Señor te concede la vida.	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 Y ahora tú, que has sido castigado por el Cielo, anuncia a todos la grandeza del poder de Dios». Dicho esto, desaparecieron.	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 Heliodoro, después de ofrecer un sacrificio al Señor y de orar largamente al que le había concedido la vida, se despidió de Onías y volvió con sus tropas adonde estaba el rey.	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 Y daba testimonio delante de todos de las obras del gran Dios, que él había contemplado con sus propios ojos.	36 And he testified to all men the works of the great God, which he had seen with his own eyes.
37 Cuando el rey preguntó a Heliodoro a quién convendría enviar otra vez a Jerusalén, él respondió:	37 And when the king asked Heliodorus, who might be a fit man to be sent yet once more to Jerusalem, he said:
38 «Si tienes algún enemigo o alguien que conspira contra el gobierno, envíalo allá y volverá molido a golpes, si es que logra salvar su vida. Porque te aseguro que una fuerza divina rodea aquel lugar;	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 el que tiene su morada en el cielo vela por él y lo protege, y a todos los que se acercan con malas intenciones los castiga con la muerte».	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 Así terminaron los hechos referentes a Heliodoro y a la preservación del Tesoro.	40 And the things concerning Heliodorus, and the keeping of the treasury fell out in this manner.