2 Maccabees 3

1While the holy city was inhabited in complete peace, and the laws were being observed in the best way because of Onias the high priest,

2Because of the piety and hatred of wickedness there, it came about that even the kings themselves honored the place and glorified the sanctuary with the finest gifts sent.

3so that even Seleucus, the king of Asia, used to provide from his own revenues all the expenses that fell due for the services of the sacrifices.

4But a certain Simon, of the tribe of Benjamin, having been appointed overseer of the temple, was at odds with the high priest about the administration of the market in the city.

5And since he was unable to overcome Onias, he went to Apollonius son of Thrasaeus, who at that time was governor of Coele-Syria and Phoenicia.

6And he reported that the treasury in Jerusalem was full of immense sums of money, so that the quantity of the separate funds was beyond counting, and that they were not connected with the account of the sacrifices, but that it was possible for these things to fall under the king’s authority.

7After conferring with the king, Apollonius informed him about the money that had been reported to him. Then the king appointed Heliodorus, who was over the affairs of state, and sent him with orders to carry out the removal of the aforementioned money.

8So Heliodorus immediately set out on the journey, outwardly as though to inspect the cities of Coele-Syria and Phoenicia, but in reality to carry out the king’s purpose.

9And when he arrived in Jerusalem and was courteously received by the high priest of the city, he reported the manifestation that had taken place, explained for what reason he was present, and inquired whether these things were truly so.

10But when the high priest pointed out that these were deposits belonging to widows and orphans,

11and some also belonging to Hyrcanus son of Tobias, a man of very high position. The ungodly Simon was not slandering to that extent. Altogether there were four hundred talents of silver and two hundred of gold.

12and that to wrong those who had trusted in the holiness of the place, and in the majesty and inviolability of the temple honored throughout the whole world, was utterly impossible.

13But the other, because he had royal orders, kept insisting that these things were to be taken into the royal treasury.

14After setting a day, he went in to arrange the examination concerning these matters; and there was no small anxiety throughout the whole city.

15But the priests, having thrown themselves down before the altar in their priestly robes, were calling out to heaven to the one who had given the law concerning deposits, that he should keep these things safe for those who had deposited them.

16To see the appearance of the high priest was enough to wound the mind; for his face and altered color made visible the agony in his soul.

17For a certain dread and bodily trembling had come over the man, by which the pain present in his heart was becoming evident to those who were watching.

18And those from the houses were rushing out in groups for a public supplication, because the place was about to come into contempt.

19And the women, with sackcloth bound under their breasts, were crowding the streets; and the virgins who were shut in, some were running together to the gates, others to the walls, and some were peering out through the windows.

20And all of them, stretching out their hands toward heaven, were making supplication.

21Pitiful indeed was the complete prostration of the crowd, and the expectation of the high priest, who was in great agony—

22So then they were calling on the all-powerful Lord to keep what had been entrusted to those who had made the deposit safe with all security.

23But Heliodorus was carrying out what had been decided.

24But when he had already arrived there with the guards at the treasury, the Sovereign of spirits and of all authority made a great manifestation, so that all who had dared to come in, struck with awe at the power of God, were turned to weakness and fear.

25For a horse appeared to them with a fearsome rider, adorned with a most beautiful saddlecloth; and rushing headlong, it struck Heliodorus with its front hoofs, while the one seated on it appeared to be wearing golden armor.

26But two other young men appeared to him, outstanding in strength, most handsome in appearance, and splendid in clothing; and standing on either side of him, they kept scourging him without stopping, landing many blows on him.

27But he suddenly fell to the ground and was enveloped in deep darkness; and they picked him up and put him on a stretcher,

28The man who had just entered the treasury with much rushing about and all his guard, they carried out helpless, being completely incapacitated, having plainly recognized the sovereign power.

29And he, because of the divine power, lay speechless and deprived of all hope and salvation;

30And they were blessing the Lord, who was glorifying his own place; and the temple, which a little earlier had been full of fear and turmoil, was filled with joy and gladness when the Almighty Lord appeared.

31But quickly some of Heliodorus's companions were urging Onias to call upon the Most High and grant life to the one who was lying at his last breath.

32But the high priest, becoming suspicious that the king might perhaps suppose that some wrongdoing against Heliodorus had been carried out by the Jews, offered a sacrifice for the man's recovery.

33And while the high priest was making atonement, the same young men appeared again to Heliodorus, clothed in the same garments, and standing there they said, “Give many thanks to Onias the high priest, for because of him the Lord has graciously granted you your life.”

34But you, having been scourged from heaven, proclaim to all the majestic power of God. And when they had said these things, they became invisible.

35But Heliodorus, after offering a sacrifice to God and making very great vows to the one who had preserved his life, and after taking leave of Onias, returned to the king.

36And he testified to everyone about the works of the greatest God that he had seen with his own eyes.

37When the king asked Heliodorus who might be fit to be sent once more to Jerusalem, he said,

38If you have any enemy or one plotting against your affairs, send him there, and you will receive him back flogged—if indeed he even survives—because there truly is some power of God about the place.

39For he himself, who has his dwelling in heaven, is the overseer and helper of that place, and he strikes and destroys those who come to do harm.

40And the matter concerning Heliodorus and the safeguarding of the treasury proceeded in this way.