2 Maccabees 3

DOUAI-RHEIMS	BIBBIA TINTORI
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,	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,
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:	2 avveniva che gli stessi re e i principi onorassero il luogo santo e ornassero il tempio di magnifici doni,
3 So that Seleucus king of Asia allowed out of his revenues all the charges belonging to the ministry of the sacrifices.	3 tanto che lo stesso Seleuco, re d'Asia, somministrava del suo tutte le spese necessarie al servizio dei sacrifizi.
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.	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.
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:	5 Non potendo averla vinta contro Onia, andò a trovare Apollonio figlio di Tarsea, che allora governava la Celesiria e la Fenicia,
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.	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.
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.	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.
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.	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.
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.	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.
10 Then the high priest told him that these were sums deposited, and provisions for the subsistence of the widows and the fatherless.	10 Allora il sommo sacerdote gli dimostrò che tali cose eran depositi pel sostentamento delle vedove e degli orfani;
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:	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;
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.	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.
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.	13 L'altro, adducendo gli ordini del re, sosteneva che tutto in ogni modo doveva esser portato al re.
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.	14 Fissato il giorno, Eliodoro entrò nel tempio per sbrigare l'affare, e non poca era la trepidazione per tutta la città.
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.	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.
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.	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:
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.	17 la mestizia di cui era ravvolto, lo spavento che traspariva dal corpo manifestavano, a chi l'avesse veduto, il dolore del suo cuore.
18 Others also came hocking together out of their houses, praying and making public supplication, because the place was like to come into contempt.	18 Alcuni si precipitarono a frotte dalle loro case a scongiurare con pubbliche preghiere che quel luogo non fosse esposto al disprezzo.
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.	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;
20 And all holding up their hands towards heaven, made supplication.	20 e tutte, alzando al cielo le mani, pregavano.
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.	21 Faceva compassione quella folla confusa, e l'attesa angosciosa del sommo sacerdote.
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.	22 Mentre questi supplicavano l'onnipotente Dio, a far conservare intatto, per quelli che avevan fatti i depositi, quello che era loro stato affidato,
23 But Heliodorus executed that which he had resolved on, himself being present in the same place with his guard about the treasury.	23 Eliodoro eseguiva i suoi disegni, ed era già coi suoi satelliti presso l'erario.
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.	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.
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.	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.
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.	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.
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.	27 Eliodoro cadde subito per terra ravvolto in densa caligine, e fu preso, messo in una lettiga e portato fuori.
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.	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.
29 And he indeed by the power of God lay speechless, and without all hope of recovery.	29 Così egli sotto la potenza divina giaceva muto, senza alcuna speranza di salvezza,
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.	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.
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.	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.
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.	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.
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.	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.
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.	34 Or tu, castigato da Dio, racconta a tutti le maraviglie di Dio e la sua potenza ». Ciò detto sparirono.
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.	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,
36 And he testified to all men the works of the great God, which he had seen with his own eyes.	36 a raccontare a tutti le opere del grande Dio, da lui vedute coi propri occhi.
37 And when the king asked Heliodorus, who might be a fit man to be sent yet once more to Jerusalem, he said:	37 Avendo poi il re domandato a Eliodoro chi potesse essere capace per esser mandato un'altra volta a Gerusalemme, rispose:
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.	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;
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.	39 e colui che abita nei cieli veglia su quel luogo e lo protegge, e percuote e stermina chi va per farvi del male ».
40 And the things concerning Heliodorus, and the keeping of the treasury fell out in this manner.	40 Così andaron le cose riguardo a Eliodoro e alla conservazione del tesoro sacro.