2 Maccabees 3 — Greek text and reception

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While the holy city was inhabited in complete peace and the laws were being kept most carefully because of the high priest Onias's piety and hatred of wickedness,

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even the kings themselves honored the place and glorified the temple with their finest gifts,

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so that Seleucus, king of Asia, also supplied from his own revenues all the expenses required for the service of the sacrifices.

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But a certain Simon, of the tribe of Benjamin, who had been appointed overseer of the temple, disagreed with the high priest over the administration of the city's market.

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Unable to overcome Onias, he went to Apollonius son of Thraseas, who at that time was governor of Coele-Syria and Phoenicia.

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He reported that the treasury in Jerusalem was full of indescribable riches, so that the amount of money was beyond counting, and that it did not belong to the account for the sacrifices; these funds, he said, could fall under the king's authority.

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Apollonius met the king and informed him about the money reported to him. The king chose Heliodorus, his chief minister, and sent him with orders to remove the aforesaid money.

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Heliodorus immediately began his journey, ostensibly to inspect the cities of Coele-Syria and Phoenicia, but actually to carry out the king's intention.

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When he arrived in Jerusalem and was cordially received by the city's high priest, he related the information that had been given and explained why he was there. He asked whether these things were really so.

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The high priest explained that they were deposits belonging to widows and orphans,

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and that some also belonged to Hyrcanus son of Tobias, a man of very high standing. Thus the impious Simon had misrepresented matters. In all there were four hundred talents of silver and two hundred of gold.

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It was utterly impossible, he said, that those who had trusted in the holiness of the place and in the dignity and inviolability of the temple honored throughout the whole world should suffer injustice.

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But Heliodorus, because of his royal instructions, insisted that the money must certainly be taken into the royal treasury.

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He appointed a day and went in to arrange the inspection of these things. There was no small anguish throughout the city.

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The priests threw themselves down before the altar in their priestly robes, calling to heaven upon the One who had legislated about deposits, that He would keep them safe for those who had entrusted them.

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Whoever saw the high priest's appearance was wounded in mind, for his face and altered complexion revealed his soul's anguish.

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Dread and bodily shuddering had come over the man, making the pain lodged in his heart plain to those who looked at him.

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People also rushed out of their houses in crowds for a public supplication, because the place was about to be treated with contempt.

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Women, girded with sackcloth beneath their breasts, thronged the streets. Of the secluded virgins, some ran together to the gateways, some to the walls, and others leaned out through the windows.

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All of them stretched their hands toward heaven and offered their entreaty.

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It was pitiful to see the mingled multitude falling prostrate, and the high priest waiting in great anguish.

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So they called on the all-powerful Lord to keep the entrusted property safe and fully secure for those who had entrusted it.

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Heliodorus, however, was carrying out his decision.

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When he was already there at the treasury with his bodyguards, the Sovereign of spirits and of all authority made a great manifestation. All who had dared accompany him were struck with awe at God's power and turned to faintness and cowardice.

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For there appeared to them a horse with a fearsome rider, adorned with the finest harness. Rushing forcefully forward, it struck at Heliodorus with its forehooves; its rider appeared to wear a full suit of golden armor.

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Two other young men appeared to him, remarkable in strength, most beautiful in glory, and splendid in clothing. They stood on either side of him and flogged him without ceasing, raining many blows upon him.

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He suddenly fell to the ground, and deep darkness enveloped him. They picked him up and placed him on a litter.

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The man who had just entered the aforesaid treasury with a large retinue and all his bodyguard was carried out, unable to help himself. They plainly recognized God's sovereignty.

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Through the divine action he lay speechless, deprived of every hope and means of deliverance.

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But they blessed the Lord, who had wonderfully honored His own place. The temple that a little earlier had been full of dread and turmoil was filled with joy and gladness when the Almighty Lord appeared.

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Some of Heliodorus's companions quickly begged Onias to call upon the Most High and grant life to the man who lay entirely at his last breath.

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The high priest, fearing that the king might form the opinion that the Jews had perpetrated some wrongdoing against Heliodorus, offered a sacrifice for the man's deliverance.

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While the high priest was making propitiation, the same young men again appeared to Heliodorus, clothed in the same garments. They stood and said, “Give many thanks to Onias the high priest, for it is because of him that the Lord has granted you life.

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You, having been scourged from heaven, proclaim to everyone God's majestic might.” Having said this, they became invisible.

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Heliodorus offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made very great vows to the One who had preserved his life. He warmly took leave of Onias and departed with his company to the king.

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He bore witness to everyone about the deeds of the greatest God that he had seen with his own eyes.

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When the king asked Heliodorus what sort of person would be suitable to send once more to Jerusalem, he said,

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“If you have an enemy or someone plotting against your government, send him there. You will receive him back scourged, if indeed he survives, because a certain power of God is truly present about that place.

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For He who has His dwelling in heaven is the Overseer and Helper of that place, and He strikes down and destroys those who come to harm it.”

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This was how the events concerning Heliodorus and the preservation of the treasury unfolded.