1 Therefore when the holy city was inhabited in all peace, the laws also as yet were very well kept, because of Onias the high Priest his piety, and mind that hated evils,
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 it came to pass that kings also themselves, and princes esteemed the place worthy of high honour, & glorified the temple with very great gifts:
2 It came to pass that even the kings themselves and the princes esteemed the place worthy of the highest honor, and glorified the temple with very great gifts:
3 so that Seleucus the king of Asia of his revenues allowed all the charges pertaining to the ministry of the sacrifices.
3 So that Seleucus, king of Asia, allowed out of his revenues all the charges belonging to the ministry of the sacrifices.
4 But Simon of the tribe of Benjamin, being appointed overseer of the temple, contended, the Prince of the Priests resisting him, to work some wicked thing in the city.
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 And when he could not overcome Onias, he came to Apollonius the son of Tharsæas, who at that time was governor of Cælesyria, and Phænicia:
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 and told him, that the treasury at Jerusalem was full of innumerable deal of money, and the common store to be infinite, which pertain not to the account of the sacrifices: and that it is possible, all might fall into the king's power.
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 And when Apollonius had made relation to the king, concerning the money that he was told of, he calling for Heliodorus, who was over his affairs, sent him with commission to transport the foresaid money.
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 And forthwith Heliodorus began to take his journey, in shew indeed as if he would go visit the cities throughout Cælesyria and Phænicia, but in very deed to accomplish the king's purpose.
8 So Heliodorus forthwith began his journey, under a color of visiting the cities of Celesyria and Phenicia, but indeed to fulfill the king’s purpose.
9 But when he was come to Jerusalem, and was courteously received in the city by the high Priest, he told of the advertisement given of the money: and opened for what cause he was come: and asked if these things were so in very deed.
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 Then the high-Priest shewed that these were deposita, and the livelihoods of widows & pupils:
10 Then the high priest told him that these were sums deposited, and provisions for the subsistence of the widows and the fatherless:
11 but certain of them to belong unto Hircanus of Tobie a very noble man, among these things, which impious Simon had promoted, and the whole to be of silver four hundred talents, and of gold two hundred.
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 And that they should be deceived which had committed it to the place, and the temple, that is honoured throughout the whole world, to be a thing, for the reverence and holiness thereof altogether unpossible.
12 But that to deceive them who had trusted to the place and temple which is honored throughout the whole world, for the reverence and holiness of it, was a thing which could not by any means be done.
13 But he by reason of those things, which he had in commission of the king, said in any wise that they must be carried to the king.
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 And on a day appointed, Heliodorus entered in to take order concerning these things. But there was no small trembling throughout the whole city.
14 So on the day he had appointed, Heliodorus entered in to order this matter. But there was no small terror throughout the whole city.
15 And the Priests cast themselves before the altar with their Priests' stoles, and invocated him from heaven, which made the law of deposita, that he would keep the things safe, from them that had deposed them.
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 But now he that saw the countenance of the high-Priest, was wounded in mind: for his face and colour being changed declared the inner sorrow of the mind.
16 Now whosoever saw the countenance of the high priest, was wounded in heart: for his face, and the changing of his color, declared the inward sorrow of his mind.
17 For there was a certain pensiveness poured about the man, and horror of the body, whereby the sorrow of his heart was made manifest to them that beheld him.
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 Others also came flocking together out of their houses: praying with public supplication, for that the place was to come into contempt.
18 Others also came flocking together out of their houses, praying and making public supplication, because the place was like to come into contempt.
19 And the women having their breast girded with hair-cloths came together through the streets. Yea and the virgins that were shut up, came forth to Onias, and some to the walls, but some looked through the windows:
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 and all stretching forth their hands unto heaven, prayed.
20 And all holding up their hands towards heaven made supplication.
21 For the expectation of the confuse multitude, and of the grand Priest being in an agony, was miserable.
21 For the expectation of the mixed multitude, and of the high priest, who was in an agony, would have moved anyone to pity.
22 And these certes invocated almighty God, that the things committed to them, might be performed with all integrity for them that had committed the same of trust.
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 But Heliodorus exercised that which he had decreed in the same place himself present with his guard about the treasury.
23 But Heliodorus executed that which he had resolved on, himself being present in the same place with his guard about the treasury.
24 But the spirit of almighty God made great evidence of his appearing, so that all which had presumed to obey him, falling by the virtue of God, were turned into dissolution and fear.
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 For there appeared to them a certain horse having a terrible rider, adorned with very rich harness: and he with fierceness struck Heliodorus with his forefoot, and he that sat upon him, seemed to have armour of gold.
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 forefeet, and he that sat upon him seemed to have armor of gold.
26 There appeared also two other young men comely for strength, excellent of glory, and beautiful in attire: which stood about him, and on both sides whipped him, beating him with many stripes without intermission.
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 And Heliodorus suddenly fell on the ground, and they took him being covered round about with much darkness, and being set in a seat portative, they thrust him forth.
27 And 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 And he that with many couriers, and men of his guard entered into the foresaid treasury, was carried no man giving him succourse, the manifest power of God being known.
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 And he indeed by the power of God lay dumb, and deprived of all hope, and health.
29 And he indeed, by the power of God, lay speechless, and without all hope of recovery.
30 But they blessed our Lord, because he magnified his place: and the temple, that a little before was full of fear and tumult, almighty God appearing, was filled with joy and gladness.
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 And then certain of the friends of Heliodorus forthwith desired Onias, that he would invocate the highest to give him life, who was at the very last gasp.
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 And the high-Priest considering lest perhaps the king might suspect some malice on the Jews' part done about Heliodorus, offered for the health of the man an healthful host.
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 And when the high-Priest by prayer obtained, the self same young men, clothed with the same garments, standing by Heliodorus, said: Give thanks to Onias the Priest: for him hath our Lord given thee life.
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 But thou being scourged of God, declare unto all men the great works and the power of God. And these things being said, they appeared no more.
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 And Heliodorus having offered an host to God, and having promised great vows to him, that granted him to live, and giving thanks to Onias, taking his army again returned to the king.
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 And he testified to all men those works of the great God, which he had seen before his own eyes.
36 And he testified to all men the works of the great God, which he had seen with his own eyes.
37 And when the king had asked Heliodorus; who was meet to be sent yet once more to Jerusalem, he said:
37 And when the king asked Heliodorus, who might be a fit man to be sent yet once more to Jerusalem, he said:
38 If thou have any enemy, or traitor to thy kingdom, send him thither, and thou shalt receive him again scourged, if yet he escape: because there is undoubtedly in the place a certain power of God.
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 For he that hath his dwelling in the heavens, is the visiter, and helper of that place, and them that come to do evil, he striketh, and destroyeth.
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 Therefore concerning Heliodorus, and the keeping of the treasury so the matter standeth.
40 And the things concerning Heliodorus, and the keeping of the treasury, fell out in this manner.