2 Maccabees 3

1Now when the holy city was inhabited with all peace, and the laws were kept very well, because of the godliness of Onias the high priest, and his hatred of wickedness,

τῆς ἁγίας πόλεως κατοικουμένης μετὰ πάσης εἰρήνης καὶ τῶν νόμων ὅτι κάλλιστα συντηρουμένων διὰ τὴν ονιου τοῦ ἀρχιερέως εὐσέβειάν τε καὶ μισοπονηρίαν

2It came to pass that even the kings themselves did honour the place, and magnify the temple with their best gifts;

συνέβαινεν καὶ αὐτοὺς τοὺς βασιλεῖς τιμᾶν τὸν τόπον καὶ τὸ ἱερὸν ἀποστολαῖς ταῖς κρατίσταις δοξάζειν

3Insomuch that Seleucus of Asia of his own revenues bare all the costs belonging to the service of the sacrifices.

ὥστε καὶ σέλευκον τὸν τῆς ἀσίας βασιλέα χορηγεῖν ἐκ τῶν ἰδίων προσόδων πάντα τὰ πρὸς τὰς λειτουργίας τῶν θυσιῶν ἐπιβάλλοντα δαπανήματα

4But one Simon of the tribe of Benjamin, who was made governor of the temple, fell out with the high priest about disorder in the city.

σιμων δέ τις ἐκ τῆς βενιαμιν φυλῆς προστάτης τοῦ ἱεροῦ καθεσταμένος διηνέχθη τῷ ἀρχιερεῖ περὶ τῆς κατὰ τὴν πόλιν ἀγορανομίας

5And when he could not overcome Onias, he gat him to Apollonius the son of Thraseas, who then was governor of Celosyria and Phenice,

καὶ νικῆσαι τὸν ονιαν μὴ δυνάμενος ἦλθεν πρὸς ἀπολλώνιον θαρσεου τὸν κατ' ἐκεῖνον τὸν καιρὸν κοίλης συρίας καὶ φοινίκης στρατηγὸν

6And told him that the treasury in Jerusalem was full of infinite sums of money, so that the multitude of their riches, which did not pertain to the account of the sacrifices, was innumerable, and that it was possible to bring all into the king’s hand.

καὶ προσήγγειλεν περὶ τοῦ χρημάτων ἀμυθήτων γέμειν τὸ ἐν ιεροσολύμοις γαζοφυλάκιον ὥστε τὸ πλῆθος τῶν διαφόρων ἀναρίθμητον εἶναι καὶ μὴ προσήκειν αὐτὰ πρὸς τὸν τῶν θυσιῶν λόγον εἶναι δὲ δυνατὸν ὑπὸ τὴν τοῦ βασιλέως ἐξουσίαν πεσεῖν ταῦτα

7Now when Apollonius came to the king, and had shewed him of the money whereof he was told, the king chose out Heliodorus his treasurer, and sent him with a commandment to bring him the foresaid money.

συμμείξας δὲ ὁ ἀπολλώνιος τῷ βασιλεῖ περὶ τῶν μηνυθέντων αὐτῷ χρημάτων ἐνεφάνισεν ὁ δὲ προχειρισάμενος ἡλιόδωρον τὸν ἐπὶ τῶν πραγμάτων ἀπέστειλεν δοὺς ἐντολὰς τὴν τῶν προειρημένων χρημάτων ἐκκομιδὴν ποιήσασθαι

8So forthwith Heliodorus took his journey; under a colour of visiting the cities of Celosyria and Phenice, but indeed to fulfil the king’s purpose.

εὐθέως δὲ ὁ ἡλιόδωρος ἐποιεῖτο τὴν πορείαν τῇ μὲν ἐμφάσει ὡς τὰς κατὰ κοίλην συρίαν καὶ φοινίκην πόλεις ἐφοδεῦσαι τῷ πράγματι δὲ τὴν τοῦ βασιλέως πρόθεσιν ἐπιτελεῖν

9And when he was come to Jerusalem, and had been courteously received of the high priest of the city, he told him what intelligence was given of the money, and declared wherefore he came, and asked if these things were so indeed.

παραγενηθεὶς δὲ εἰς ιεροσόλυμα καὶ φιλοφρόνως ὑπὸ τοῦ ἀρχιερέως τῆς πόλεως ἀποδεχθεὶς ἀνέθετο περὶ τοῦ γεγονότος ἐμφανισμοῦ καὶ τίνος ἕνεκεν πάρεστιν διεσάφησεν ἐπυνθάνετο δὲ εἰ ταῖς ἀληθείαις ταῦτα οὕτως ἔχοντα τυγχάνει

10Then the high priest told him that there was such money laid up for the relief of widows and fatherless children:

τοῦ δὲ ἀρχιερέως ὑποδείξαντος παρακαταθήκας εἶναι χηρῶν τε καὶ ὀρφανῶν

11And that some of it belonged to Hircanus son of Tobias, a man of great dignity, and not as that wicked Simon had misinformed: the sum whereof in all was four hundred talents of silver, and two hundred of gold:

τινὰ δὲ καὶ ὑρκανοῦ τοῦ τωβιου σφόδρα ἀνδρὸς ἐν ὑπεροχῇ κειμένου οὕτως ἦν διαβάλλων ὁ δυσσεβὴς σιμων τὰ δὲ πάντα ἀργυρίου τετρακόσια τάλαντα χρυσίου δὲ διακόσια

12And that it was altogether impossible that such wrongs should be done unto them, that had committed it to the holiness of the place, and to the majesty and inviolable sanctity of the temple, honoured over all the world.

ἀδικηθῆναι δὲ τοὺς πεπιστευκότας τῇ τοῦ τόπου ἁγιωσύνῃ καὶ τῇ τοῦ τετιμημένου κατὰ τὸν σύμπαντα κόσμον ἱεροῦ σεμνότητι καὶ ἀσυλίᾳ παντελῶς ἀμήχανον εἶναι

13But Heliodorus, because of the king’s commandment given him, said, That in any wise it must be brought into the king’s treasury.

ὁ δὲ ἡλιόδωρος δι' ἃς εἶχεν βασιλικὰς ἐντολάς πάντως ἔλεγεν εἰς τὸ βασιλικὸν ἀναλημπτέα ταῦτα εἶναι

14So at the day which he appointed he entered in to order this matter: wherefore there was no small agony throughout the whole city.

ταξάμενος δὲ ἡμέραν εἰσῄει τὴν περὶ τούτων ἐπίσκεψιν οἰκονομήσων ἦν δὲ οὐ μικρὰ καθ' ὅλην τὴν πόλιν ἀγωνία

15But the priests, prostrating themselves before the altar in their priests’ vestments, called unto heaven upon him that made a law concerning things given to be kept, that they should safely be preserved for such as had committed them to be kept.

οἱ δὲ ἱερεῖς πρὸ τοῦ θυσιαστηρίου ἐν ταῖς ἱερατικαῖς στολαῖς ῥίψαντες ἑαυτοὺς ἐπεκαλοῦντο εἰς οὐρανὸν τὸν περὶ παρακαταθήκης νομοθετήσαντα τοῖς παρακαταθεμένοις ταῦτα σῶα διαφυλάξαι

16Then whoso had looked the high priest in the face, it would have wounded his heart: for his countenance and the changing of his colour declared the inward agony of his mind.

ἦν δὲ ὁρῶντα τὴν τοῦ ἀρχιερέως ἰδέαν τιτρώσκεσθαι τὴν διάνοιαν ἡ γὰρ ὄψις καὶ τὸ τῆς χρόας παρηλλαγμένον ἐνέφαινεν τὴν κατὰ ψυχὴν ἀγωνίαν

17For the man was so compassed with fear and horror of the body, that it was manifest to them that looked upon him, what sorrow he had now in his heart.

περιεκέχυτο γὰρ περὶ τὸν ἄνδρα δέος τι καὶ φρικασμὸς σώματος δι' ὧν πρόδηλον ἐγίνετο τοῖς θεωροῦσιν τὸ κατὰ καρδίαν ἐνεστὸς ἄλγος

18Others ran flocking out of their houses to the general supplication, because the place was like to come into contempt.

ἔτι δὲ ἐκ τῶν οἰκιῶν ἀγεληδὸν ἐξεπήδων ἐπὶ πάνδημον ἱκετείαν διὰ τὸ μέλλειν εἰς καταφρόνησιν ἔρχεσθαι τὸν τόπον

19And the women, girt with sackcloth under their breasts, abounded in the streets, and the virgins that were kept in ran, some to the gates, and some to the walls, and others looked out of the windows.

ὑπεζωσμέναι δὲ ὑπὸ τοὺς μαστοὺς αἱ γυναῖκες σάκκους κατὰ τὰς ὁδοὺς ἐπλήθυνον αἱ δὲ κατάκλειστοι τῶν παρθένων αἱ μὲν συνέτρεχον ἐπὶ τοὺς πυλῶνας αἱ δὲ ἐπὶ τὰ τείχη τινὲς δὲ διὰ τῶν θυρίδων διεξέκυπτον

20And all, holding their hands toward heaven, made supplication.

πᾶσαι δὲ προτείνουσαι τὰς χεῖρας εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν ἐποιοῦντο τὴν λιτανείαν

21Then it would have pitied a man to see the falling down of the multitude of all sorts, and the fear of the high priest being in such an agony.

ἐλεεῖν δ' ἦν τὴν τοῦ πλήθους παμμιγῆ πρόπτωσιν τήν τε τοῦ μεγάλως ἀγωνιῶντος ἀρχιερέως προσδοκίαν

22They then called upon the Almighty Lord to keep the things committed of trust safe and sure for those that had committed them.

οἱ μὲν οὖν ἐπεκαλοῦντο τὸν παγκρατῆ κύριον τὰ πεπιστευμένα τοῖς πεπιστευκόσιν σῶα διαφυλάσσειν μετὰ πάσης ἀσφαλείας

23Nevertheless Heliodorus executed that which was decreed.

ὁ δὲ ἡλιόδωρος τὸ διεγνωσμένον ἐπετέλει

24Now as he was there present himself with his guard about the treasury, the Lord of spirits, and the Prince of all power, caused a great apparition, so that all that presumed to come in with him were astonished at the power of God, and fainted, and were sore afraid.

αὐτόθι δὲ αὐτοῦ σὺν τοῖς δορυφόροις κατὰ τὸ γαζοφυλάκιον ἤδη παρόντος ὁ τῶν πνευμάτων καὶ πάσης ἐξουσίας δυνάστης ἐπιφάνειαν μεγάλην ἐποίησεν ὥστε πάντας τοὺς κατατολμήσαντας συνελθεῖν καταπλαγέντας τὴν τοῦ θεοῦ δύναμιν εἰς ἔκλυσιν καὶ δειλίαν τραπῆναι

25For there appeared unto them an horse with a terrible rider upon him, and adorned with a very fair covering, and he ran fiercely, and smote at Heliodorus with his forefeet, and it seemed that he that sat upon the horse had complete harness of gold.

ὤφθη γάρ τις ἵππος αὐτοῖς φοβερὸν ἔχων τὸν ἐπιβάτην καὶ καλλίστῃ σαγῇ διακεκοσμημένος φερόμενος δὲ ῥύδην ἐνέσεισεν τῷ ἡλιοδώρῳ τὰς ἐμπροσθίους ὁπλάς ὁ δὲ ἐπικαθήμενος ἐφαίνετο χρυσῆν πανοπλίαν ἔχων

26Moreover two other young men appeared before him, notable in strength, excellent in beauty, and comely in apparel, who stood by him on either side; and scourged him continually, and gave him many sore stripes.

ἕτεροι δὲ δύο προσεφάνησαν αὐτῷ νεανίαι τῇ ῥώμῃ μὲν ἐκπρεπεῖς κάλλιστοι δὲ τὴν δόξαν διαπρεπεῖς δὲ τὴν περιβολήν οἳ καὶ περιστάντες ἐξ ἑκατέρου μέρους ἐμαστίγουν αὐτὸν ἀδιαλείπτως πολλὰς ἐπιρριπτοῦντες αὐτῷ πληγάς

27And Heliodorus fell suddenly unto the ground, and was compassed with great darkness: but they that were with him took him up, and put him into a litter.

ἄφνω δὲ πεσόντα πρὸς τὴν γῆν καὶ πολλῷ σκότει περιχυθέντα συναρπάσαντες καὶ εἰς φορεῖον ἐνθέντες

28Thus him, that lately came with a great train and with all his guard into the said treasury, they carried out, being unable to help himself with his weapons: and manifestly they acknowledged the power of God.

τὸν ἄρτι μετὰ πολλῆς παραδρομῆς καὶ πάσης δορυφορίας εἰς τὸ προειρημένον εἰσελθόντα γαζοφυλάκιον ἔφερον ἀβοήθητον ἑαυτῷ καθεστῶτα φανερῶς τὴν τοῦ θεοῦ δυναστείαν ἐπεγνωκότες

29For he by the hand of God was cast down, and lay speechless without all hope of life.

καὶ ὁ μὲν διὰ τὴν θείαν ἐνέργειαν ἄφωνος καὶ πάσης ἐστερημένος ἐλπίδος καὶ σωτηρίας ἔρριπτο

30But they praised the Lord, that had miraculously honoured his own place: for the temple; which a little afore was full of fear and trouble, when the Almighty Lord appeared, was filled with joy and gladness.

οἱ δὲ τὸν κύριον εὐλόγουν τὸν παραδοξάζοντα τὸν ἑαυτοῦ τόπον καὶ τὸ μικρῷ πρότερον δέους καὶ ταραχῆς γέμον ἱερὸν τοῦ παντοκράτορος ἐπιφανέντος κυρίου χαρᾶς καὶ εὐφροσύνης ἐπεπλήρωτο

31Then straightways certain of Heliodorus’ friends prayed Onias, that he would call upon the most High to grant him his life, who lay ready to give up the ghost.

ταχὺ δέ τινες τῶν τοῦ ἡλιοδώρου συνήθων ἠξίουν τὸν ονιαν ἐπικαλέσασθαι τὸν ὕψιστον καὶ τὸ ζῆν χαρίσασθαι τῷ παντελῶς ἐν ἐσχάτῃ πνοῇ κειμένῳ

32So the high priest, suspecting lest the king should misconceive that some treachery had been done to Heliodorus by the Jews, offered a sacrifice for the health of the man.

ὕποπτος δὲ γενόμενος ὁ ἀρχιερεὺς μήποτε διάλημψιν ὁ βασιλεὺς σχῇ κακουργίαν τινὰ περὶ τὸν ἡλιόδωρον ὑπὸ τῶν ιουδαίων συντετελέσθαι προσήγαγεν θυσίαν ὑπὲρ τῆς τοῦ ἀνδρὸς σωτηρίας

33Now as the high priest was making an atonement, the same young men in the same clothing appeared and stood beside Heliodorus, saying, Give Onias the high priest great thanks, insomuch as for his sake the Lord hath granted thee life:

ποιουμένου δὲ τοῦ ἀρχιερέως τὸν ἱλασμὸν οἱ αὐτοὶ νεανίαι πάλιν ἐφάνησαν τῷ ἡλιοδώρῳ ἐν ταῖς αὐταῖς ἐσθήσεσιν ἐστολισμένοι καὶ στάντες εἶπον πολλὰς ονια τῷ ἀρχιερεῖ χάριτας ἔχε διὰ γὰρ αὐτόν σοι κεχάρισται τὸ ζῆν ὁ κύριος

34And seeing that thou hast been scourged from heaven, declare unto all men the mighty power of God. And when they had spoken these words, they appeared no more.

σὺ δὲ ἐξ οὐρανοῦ μεμαστιγωμένος διάγγελλε πᾶσι τὸ μεγαλεῖον τοῦ θεοῦ κράτος ταῦτα δὲ εἰπόντες ἀφανεῖς ἐγένοντο

35So Heliodorus, after he had offered sacrifice unto the Lord, and made great vows unto him that had saved his life, and saluted Onias, returned with his host to the king.

ὁ δὲ ἡλιόδωρος θυσίαν ἀνενέγκας τῷ κυρίῳ καὶ εὐχὰς μεγίστας εὐξάμενος τῷ τὸ ζῆν περιποιήσαντι καὶ τὸν ονιαν ἀποδεξάμενος ἀνεστρατοπέδευσεν πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα

36Then testified he to all men the works of the great God, which he had seen with his eyes.

ἐξεμαρτύρει δὲ πᾶσιν ἅπερ ἦν ὑπ' ὄψιν τεθεαμένος ἔργα τοῦ μεγίστου θεοῦ

37And when the king asked Heliodorus, who might be a fit man to be sent yet once again to Jerusalem, he said,

τοῦ δὲ βασιλέως ἐπερωτήσαντος τὸν ἡλιόδωρον ποῖός τις εἴη ἐπιτήδειος ἔτι ἅπαξ διαπεμφθῆναι εἰς ιεροσόλυμα ἔφησεν

38If thou hast any enemy or traitor, send him thither, and thou shalt receive him well scourged, if he escape with his life: for in that place, no doubt; there is an especial power of God.

εἴ τινα ἔχεις πολέμιον ἢ πραγμάτων ἐπίβουλον πέμψον αὐτὸν ἐκεῖ καὶ μεμαστιγωμένον αὐτὸν προσδέξῃ ἐάνπερ καὶ διασωθῇ διὰ τὸ περὶ τὸν τόπον ἀληθῶς εἶναί τινα θεοῦ δύναμιν

39For he that dwelleth in heaven hath his eye on that place, and defendeth it; and he beateth and destroyeth them that come to hurt it.

αὐτὸς γὰρ ὁ τὴν κατοικίαν ἐπουράνιον ἔχων ἐπόπτης ἐστὶν καὶ βοηθὸς ἐκείνου τοῦ τόπου καὶ τοὺς παραγινομένους ἐπὶ κακώσει τύπτων ἀπολλύει

40And the things concerning Heliodorus, and the keeping of the treasury, fell out on this sort.

καὶ τὰ μὲν κατὰ ἡλιόδωρον καὶ τὴν τοῦ γαζοφυλακίου τήρησιν οὕτως ἐχώρησεν