The Koine Bible

When the holy city was being inhabited in all peace, and the laws also being very well maintained because of the piety and hatred of evil of Onias the high priest

It also happened that even the kings themselves honored the place and glorified the sanctuary with the richest gifts.

so that even Seleucus, the king of Asia, provided from his own revenues all the expenses required for the liturgies of the sacrifices

Now a certain Simon of the tribe of Benjamin, having been appointed overseer of the temple, had a dispute with the high priest concerning the market administration in the city

And being unable to overcome Onias, he came to Apollonius son of Tarsaeus, who at that time was governor of Coele-Syria and Phoenicia,

And he reported that the treasury in Jerusalem was full of countless sums of money, so that the multitude of the accounts was innumerable, and that these did not pertain to the account of the sacrifices, but that it was possible for these to fall under the authority of the king.

But Apollonius, having conferred with the king concerning the money reported to him, informed him, and he, having appointed Heliodorus over the affairs, sent him, giving orders to carry off the money of those previously mentioned.

And immediately Heliodorus was making the journey, in appearance indeed as to inspect the cities in Coele-Syria and Phoenicia, but in fact to carry out the king’s purpose.

And having come to Jerusalem and having been received kindly by the high priest and the city, he reported concerning the appearance that had taken place and for what reason he was present, and he made clear; but he was inquiring whether these things were really so.

But when the high priest showed that there were deposits belonging to widows and orphans

And he was slandering also some of the property of Hyrcanus the son of Tobias, a man greatly placed in prominence; thus was the impious Simon slandering, and the whole amount was four hundred talents of silver and two hundred of gold.

but 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 would be utterly impossible to wrong

But Heliodorus, because of the royal orders he had, was saying that these things must by all means be taken into the royal treasury.

And having appointed a day, he was entering to arrange the inspection concerning these things; and there was no small distress throughout the whole city.

But the priests, before the altar, in their priestly garments, having cast themselves down, were calling upon heaven, the one who had legislated concerning the deposit, to preserve these things safe for those who had deposited them.

And the sight of the high priest’s appearance was wounding his mind, for the look and the altered color showed the anguish in his soul.

For a certain fear and trembling of body had been poured around the man, through which the pain present in his heart was made evident to those beholding.

And still from the houses they were leaping out in crowds for a public supplication, because the place was about to come into contempt

And the women, girded beneath the breasts with sackcloth, were thronging the streets, and the shut-in of the virgins, some were running together to the gates, and others to the walls, and some were looking out through the windows

And all, stretching out the hands toward heaven, were making the supplication.

but the fall of the multitude, mingled all together, was pitiable, and the expectation of the high priest, who was greatly in anguish

So then, they were calling upon the all-ruling Lord to preserve in complete safety the things entrusted to those who had trusted him, safe and sound with all security.

But Heliodorus was carrying out what had been decided.

And there, as he was already present with the bodyguards by the treasury, the Master of spirits and of all authority made a great manifestation, so that all who had dared to come together, being struck with amazement at the power of God, were turned to faintness and fear.

For there appeared to them a horse having a fearful rider, and adorned with the best trappings, and rushing violently it struck Heliodorus with its front hoofs, and the one sitting on it appeared to have golden armor

And two other young men appeared to him, outstanding in strength, most beautiful in appearance, and distinguished in their apparel, who also, standing around on either side, were flogging him incessantly, inflicting many blows upon him.

But suddenly, having fallen to the ground and having been covered with much darkness, seizing him and putting him onto a litter,

the one who had just now entered the aforesaid treasury with much haste and all escort they were bringing out helpless for himself, having clearly recognized the power of God

And he indeed, because of the divine working, was cast down speechless and deprived of all hope and salvation

But they blessed the Lord, who had glorified his own place beyond expectation, and the temple, which before was full of fear and turmoil, of the Lord who appeared, the Almighty, was filled with joy and gladness

Then some of Heliodorus’s associates quickly were begging Onias to invoke the Most High and to grant life to the one lying completely in his last breath

But the high priest, having become suspicious lest the king might assume some evil design concerning Heliodorus had been accomplished by the Jews, offered a sacrifice for the man’s safety

And while the high priest was making the atonement, the same young men again appeared to Heliodorus, clothed in the same garments, and standing they said, “Many thanks to Onias the high priest; for through him the Lord has granted you life.”

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

But Heliodorus, having offered sacrifice to the Lord and having prayed very great prayers to the one who had preserved his life and having welcomed Onias, set out back to the king.

And he was bearing witness to all the things which he had seen before his eyes, the works of the Most High God

And when the king had asked Heliodorus what sort of man would still be suitable to be sent once again to Jerusalem, he said:

If you have anyone as an enemy or a plotter against affairs, send him there, and, though scourged, you will receive him, if indeed he should also be saved, because truly some power of God is around the place

For he himself who has the heavenly dwelling is overseer and helper of that place, and by striking those who come upon it for harm, he destroys them

And the matters concerning Heliodorus and the guarding of the treasury thus went on