Anonymous (Septuagint) · a new plain-English translation from the original language
1| While the holy city was inhabited in complete peace, and the laws were being kept in the very best way, on account of the piety and hatred of wickedness of Onias the high priest,
2| it came about that the kings themselves honored the place, and glorified the temple with the finest gifts,
3| so that even Seleucus, king of Asia, supplied out of his own revenues all the expenses proper to the services of the sacrifices.
4| But a certain Simon, of the tribe of Benjamin, who had been appointed overseer of the temple, fell into a dispute with the high priest over the administration of the market in the city.
5| And being unable to get the better of Onias, he went to Apollonius son of Thraseas, who at that time was governor of Coele-Syria and Phoenicia,
6| and told him the Jerusalem treasury held riches beyond reckoning, an amount so vast it could not be counted and bore no relation to the tally of the sacrifices, and that it was possible for these to fall under the authority of the king.
7| When Apollonius met with the king, he disclosed to him the money that had been reported to him; and the king, choosing out Heliodorus, who was over his affairs, sent him with orders to carry off the aforementioned money.
8| Heliodorus set out on his journey at once, ostensibly to inspect the cities of Coele-Syria and Phoenicia, but in fact to carry out the king's purpose.
9| And when he arrived in Jerusalem and had been warmly received by the high priest of the city, he laid before him the report that had been made, and made clear for what reason he had come; and he inquired whether these things were in truth as reported.
10| The high priest explained to him that these were deposits belonging to widows and orphans,
11| and that some also belonged to Hyrcanus son of Tobias, a man of very high standing — the wicked Simon having falsely represented the matter — and that the entire amount came to four hundred talents' weight in silver plus two hundred more in gold,
12| and that to wrong those who had put their trust in the sanctity of the place and in the majesty and inviolability of the temple, honored throughout the whole world, was altogether unthinkable.
13| But the other, on account of the royal orders he held, said flatly that this money must be confiscated for the king's treasury.
14| Having set a day, Heliodorus went in to carry out his inspection of these matters; and there was no small anguish throughout the whole city.
15| The priests, in their priestly robes, cast themselves down before the altar and called upon heaven, upon him who had given the law concerning deposits, to keep these things safe for those who had deposited them.
16| Whoever looked upon the appearance of the high priest was wounded in mind, for his face and the change in his color revealed the anguish of his soul.
17| For a dread and a shuddering of body had poured over the man, by which the pain now present in his heart became plain to those who beheld him.
18| Others streamed out of their houses in crowds for a public supplication, because the place was about to fall into contempt.
19| The women, girded with sackcloth beneath their breasts, filled the streets in great numbers; and the maidens who were kept indoors ran, some to the gates, some to the walls, and some peered out through the windows,
20| and all, stretching out their hands toward heaven, made their supplication.
21| It was pitiful to see the prostration of the whole mingled multitude, and the anxious waiting of the high priest in his great anguish.
22| So they called upon the Lord almighty to keep safe, with all security, the things entrusted to those who had entrusted them.
23| But Heliodorus went on carrying out what had been decided.
24| Now while he was already present there with his bodyguard beside the treasury, the Sovereign of spirits and of all authority made so great a manifestation that all who had dared to accompany him were struck with terror at the power of God, and were turned to faintness and fear.
25| For there appeared to them a horse with a fearsome rider upon it, arrayed in the most beautiful trappings; and rushing furiously, it struck at Heliodorus with its forefeet; and the one seated upon it was seen to have golden armor.
26| Two other young men also appeared to him, remarkable in strength, most beautiful in appearance, and splendidly clothed, who stood on either side of him and scourged him without ceasing, inflicting many blows upon him.
27| And when he suddenly fell to the ground and was enveloped in great darkness, they caught him up and put him on a stretcher,
28| and carried him — the very man who had just entered the aforesaid treasury with a great escort and his whole bodyguard — utterly helpless, now that he plainly recognized the power of God.
29| And he lay there, speechless because of the divine working, and deprived of all hope and deliverance;
30| but the others blessed the Lord who had wondrously glorified his own place; and the temple, which shortly before had been full of fear and confusion, was filled with joy and gladness, now that the Lord almighty had appeared.
31| Then quickly some of Heliodorus's companions begged Onias to call upon the Most High, and to grant life to the man who now lay at his very last breath.
32| The high priest, fearing that the king might suspect the Jews of some plot against Heliodorus, offered up a sacrifice on behalf of the man's recovery.
33| And while the high priest was making the atonement, the same young men again appeared to Heliodorus, clothed in the same garments, and standing there they said, "Give great thanks to Onias the high priest, for it is on his account that the Lord has granted you your life.
34| And you, since you have been scourged from heaven, declare to all the greatness of God's might." And having said these things, they vanished from sight.
35| Heliodorus, after offering a sacrifice to God and making great vows to him who had preserved his life, and having warmly thanked Onias, returned with his army to the king,
36| and testified to all the works of the greatest God that he had seen with his own eyes.
37| When the king asked Heliodorus what sort of man would be fit to be sent to Jerusalem once again, he answered,
38| "If you have any enemy or plotter against your affairs, send him there, and you will get him back well scourged, if indeed he survives at all, for there is truly some power of God about that place.
39| For he who has his dwelling in heaven himself watches over and helps that place, and strikes down and destroys those who come to do it harm."
40| Such, then, was the outcome of the affair of Heliodorus and the safeguarding of the treasury.