| 1 |
igitur cum sancta civitas habitaretur in omni pace leges etiam adhuc optime custodirentur propter Oniae pontificis pietatem et animos odio habentes mala
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 |
fiebat ut ipsi reges et principes locum summo honore dignum ducerent et templum maximis muneribus inlustrarent
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 |
ita ut Seleucus Asiae rex de reditibus suis praestaret omnes sumptus ad ministerium sacrificiorum pertinentes
So that Seleucus, king of Asia, allowed out of his revenues all the charges belonging to the ministry of the sacrifices.
|
| 4 |
Simon autem de tribu Beniamin praepositus templi constitutus contendebat obsistente sibi principe sacerdotum iniquum aliquid in civitate moliri
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 |
sed cum vincere Onian non posset venit ad Apollonium Tharseae filium qui illo tempore erat dux Coelesyriae et Foenicis
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 |
et nuntiavit ei pecuniis innumerabilibus plenum esse aerarium Hierosolymis et communes copias inmensas esse quae non pertinent ad rationem sacrificiorum esse autem possibile sub potestate regis cadere universa
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 |
cumque rettulisset Apollonius ad regem de pecuniis quae delatae erant ille accitum Heliodorum qui erat super negotia eius misit cum mandatis ut praedictam pecuniam transportaret
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 |
statimque Heliodorus iter adgressus specie quidem quasi per Coelesyriam et Foenicen civitates esset peragraturus re autem vera regis propositum perfecturus
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 |
sed cum venisset Hierosolymam et benigne a summo sacerdote in civitate esset exceptus narravit de dato indicio pecuniarum et cuius rei gratia adesset apparuit interrogabat autem si vere haec ita essent
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 |
tunc summus sacerdos ostendit deposita esse haec et victualia viduarum ac pupillorum
Then the high priest told him that these were sums deposited, and provisions for the subsistence of the widows and the fatherless:
|
| 11 |
quaedam vero esse Hircani Tobiae viri valde eminentis in his quae detulerat impius Simon universa autem argenti talenta quadringenta esse et auri ducenta
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 |
decipi vero eos qui credidissent loco et templo quod per universum mundum honoratur pro sui veneratione et sanctitate inpossibile omnino esse
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 |
at ille pro his quae habebat in mandatis a rege dicebat omni genere regiae deferenda
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 |
constituta autem die intrabat de his Heliodorus ordinaturus non modica vero per universam civitatem erat trepidatio
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 |
sacerdotes autem ante altare cum sacerdotalibus stolis iactaverunt se et invocabant de caelo eum qui de depositis legem posuit ut his qui deposuerant ea salva custodiret
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 |
iam vero qui videret summi sacerdotis vultum mente vulnerabatur facies enim et color inmutatus declarabat internum animi dolorem
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 |
circumfusa enim erat viro maestitia quaedam et horror corporis per quae manifestus aspicientibus dolor cordis eius efficiebatur
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 |
alii etiam congregati de domibus confluebant publica supplicatione obsecrantes pro eo quod in contemptum locus esset venturus
Others also came flocking together out of their houses, praying and making public supplication, because the place was like to come into contempt.
|
| 19 |
accinctaeque mulieres ciliciis pectus per plateas confluebant sed et virgines quae conclusae erant procurrebant ad Onian aliae autem ad muros quaedam vero per fenestras aspiciebant
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 |
universae autem protendentes manus in caelum deprecabantur
And all holding up their hands towards heaven made supplication.
|
| 21 |
erat enim misera commixtae multitudinis et magni sacerdotis in agone constituti expectatio
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 |
et hii quidem invocabant omnipotentem Deum ut credita sibi his qui crediderant cum omni integritate conservarentur
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 |
Heliodorus autem quod decreverat perficiebat eodem loco ipse cum satellitibus circa aerarium praesens
But Heliodorus executed that which he had resolved on, himself being present in the same place with his guard about the treasury.
|
| 24 |
sed spiritus Omnipotentis magnam fecit suae ostensionis evidentiam ita ut omnes qui ausi fuerant parere ei ruentes Dei virtute in dissolutionem et formidinem converterentur
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 |
apparuit enim illis quidam equus terribilem habens sessorem optimis operimentis adornatus isque cum impetu Heliodoro priores calces elisit qui autem ei sedebat videbatur arma habere aurea
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 |
alii etiam apparuerunt duo iuvenes virtute decori optimi gloria speciosique amictu qui circumsteterunt eum et ex utraque parte flagellabant sine intermissione multis plagis verberantes
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 |
subito autem Heliodorus concidit in terram eumque multa caligine circumfusum rapuerunt atque in sella gestatoria positum eiecerunt
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 |
et is qui cum multis cursoribus et satellitibus praedictum ingressus est aerarium portabatur nullo sibi auxilium ferente manifesta cognita Dei virtute
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 |
et ille quidem per divinam virtutem iacebat mutus
And he indeed, by the power of God, lay speechless, and without all hope of recovery.
|
| 30 |
hii autem Dominum benedicebant quia magnificavit locum suum et templum quod paulo ante timore ac tumultu erat plenum apparente omnipotente Domino gaudio et laetitia impletum est
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 |
tunc vero ex amicis Heliodori quidam rogabant confestim Onian ut invocaret Altissimum et vitam donaret ei qui in supremo spiritu erat constitutus
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 |
considerans autem summus sacerdos ne forte rex suspicaretur malitiam aliquam ex Iudaeis circa Heliodorum consummatam obtulit pro salute viri hostiam salutarem
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 |
cumque summus sacerdos exoraret idem iuvenes eisdem vestibus amicti adstantes Heliodoro dixerunt Oniae sacerdoti gratias age nam propter eum tibi Dominus vitam donavit
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 |
tu autem ab eo flagellatus nuntia omnibus magnalia Dei et potestatem et his dictis non conparuerunt
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 |
Heliodorus autem hostia Deo oblata et votis magnis promisit ei qui vivere illi concessit et Oniae gratias agens recepto exercitu repedabat ad regem
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 |
testabatur autem omnibus ea quae sub oculis suis viderat opera magni Dei
And he testified to all men the works of the great God, which he had seen with his own eyes.
|
| 37 |
cum autem rex interrogasset Heliodorum quis est aptus adhuc semel Hierosolymam mitti ait
And when the king asked Heliodorus, who might be a fit man to be sent yet once more to Jerusalem, he said:
|
| 38 |
si quem habes hostem aut regni tui insidiatorem mitte illuc et flagellatum eum recipies si tamen evaserit eo quod in loco vere sit Dei quaedam virtus
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 |
nam ipse qui habet in caelis habitationem visitator et adiutor est loci illius et venientes ad malefaciendum percutit ac perdit
For he that hath his dwelling in the heavens, is the visiter and protector of that place, and he striketh and destroyeth them that come to do evil to it.
|
| 40 |
igitur de Heliodoro et aerarii custodia ita se res habet
And the things concerning Heliodorus, and the keeping of the treasury, fell out in this manner
|
