Heliodorus is sent by king Seleucus to take away the treasures
deposited in the temple. He is struck by God, and healed by the prayers
of the high priest.
3:1. 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,
3:2. 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:
3:3. So that Seleucus, king of Asia, allowed out of his revenues all
the charges belonging to the ministry of the sacrifices.
Seleucus. . .Son of Antiochus the Great, and elder brother of Antiochus
Epiphanes.
3:4. 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.
3:5. 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:
3:6. 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.
3:7. 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.
3:8. 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.
3:9. 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.
3:10. Then the high priest told him that these were sums deposited, and
provisions for the subsistence of the widows and the fatherless:
3:11. 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.
3:12. 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.
3:13. 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.
3:14. So on the day he had appointed, Heliodorus entered in to order
this matter. But there was no small terror throughout the whole city.
3:15. 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.
3:16. 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.
3:17. 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.
3:18. Others also came flocking together out of their houses, praying
and making public supplication, because the place was like to come into
contempt.
3:19. 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.
3:20. And all holding up their hands towards heaven made supplication.
3:21. For the expectation of the mixed multitude, and of the high
priest, who was in an agony, would have moved any one to pity.
3:22. 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.
3:23. But Heliodorus executed that which he had resolved on, himself
being present in the same place with his guard about the treasury.
3:24. 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.
3:25. 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.
3:26. 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.
3:27. 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.
3:28. 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.
3:29. And he indeed, by the power of God, lay speechless, and without
all hope of recovery.
3:30. 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.
3:31. 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.
3:32. 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.
3:33. 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.
3:34. 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.
3:35. 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.
3:36. And he testified to all men the works of the great God, which he
had seen with his own eyes.
3:37. And when the king asked Heliodorus, who might be a fit man to be
sent yet once more to Jerusalem, he said:
3:38. If thou hast any enemy, or traitor to thy king dom, 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.
3:39. 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.
3:40. And the things concerning Heliodorus, and the keeping of the
treasury, fell out in this manner.