1   During the rule of the high priest Onias, the holy city enjoyed complete peace and prosperity, and the laws were still observed most scrupulously, because he was a pious man and hated wickedness. 2   The kings themselves held the sanctuary in honour and used to embellish the temple with the most splendid gifts; 3   even Seleucus, king of Asia, bore all the expenses of the sacrificial worship from his own revenues.

4   But a certain Simon, of the clan Bilgah, ^note who had been appointed administrator of the temple, quarrelled with the high priest about the regulation of the city market. 5   Unable to get the better of Onias, he went to Apollonius son of Thrasaeus, then governor of Coele-syria and Phoenicia, 6   and alleged that the treasury at Jerusalem was full of untold riches—indeed the total of the accumulated balances was incalculable and did not correspond with the account for the sacrifices; he suggested that these balances might be brought under the control of the king. 7   When Apollonius met the king, he reported what

Syrian oppression of the Jews he had been told about the riches. The king selected Heliodorus, his chief minister, and sent him with orders to remove these treasures.

8   Heliodorus set off at once, ostensibly to make a tour of inspection of the cities of Coele-syria and Phoenicia, but in fact to carry out the purpose of the king. 9   When he arrived at Jerusalem and had been courteously received by the high priest and the citizens, he explained why he had come: he told them about the allegations and asked if they were in fact true. 10   The high priest intimated that the deposits were held in trust for widows and orphans, 11   apart from what belonged to Hyrcanus son of Tobias, a man of very high standing; the matter was being misrepresented by the impious Simon. In all there were four hundred talents of silver and two hundred of gold. 12   It was unthinkable, he said, that wrong should be done to those who had relied on the sanctity of the place, on the dignity and inviolability of the world-famous temple. 13   But Heliodorus, in virtue of the king's orders, replied that these deposits must without question be handed over to the royal treasury.

14   He fixed a day and went into the temple to make an inventory. At this there was great distress throughout the whole city. 15   The priests, prostrating themselves in their vestments before the altar, prayed to Heaven, to the Lawgiver who had made deposits sacred, to keep them intact for their rightful owners. 16   The high priest's looks pierced every beholder to the heart, for his face and its changing colour betrayed the anguish of his soul. 17   Alarm and shuddering gripped him, and the pain he felt was clearly apparent to the onlookers. 18   The people rushed pell-mell from their houses to join together in supplication because of the dishonour which threatened the holy place. 19   Women in sackcloth, their breasts bare, filled the streets; unmarried girls who were kept in seclusion ran to the gates or walls of their houses, while others leaned out from the windows; 20   all with outstretched hands made solemn entreaty to Heaven. 21   It was pitiful to see the crowd all lying prostrate in utter confusion, and the high priest in an agony of apprehension.

22   While the people were calling upon the Lord Almighty to keep the deposits intact and safe for those who had deposited them, Heliodorus proceeded to carry out his decision. 23    24   But at the very moment when he arrived with his bodyguard at the treasury, the Ruler of spirits and of all powers produced a mighty apparition, so that all who had the audacity to accompany Heliodorus were faint

Syrian oppression of the Jews with terror, stricken with panic at the power of God. 25   They saw a horse, splendidly caparisoned, with a rider of terrible aspect; it rushed fiercely at Heliodorus and, rearing up, attacked him with its hooves. 26   The rider was wearing golden armour. There also appeared to Heliodorus two young men of surpassing strength and glorious beauty, splendidly dressed. They stood on either side of him and scourged him, raining ceaseless blows upon him. 27   He fell suddenly to the ground, overwhelmed by a great darkness, and his men snatched him up and put him on a litter. 28   This man, who so recently had entered the treasury with a great throng and his whole bodyguard, was now borne off by them quite helpless, publicly compelled to acknowledge the sovereignty of God. ^note

29   While he lay speechless, deprived by this divine act of all hope of recovery, 30   the Jews were praising the Lord for the miracle he had performed in his own house. The temple, which a short time before was full of alarm and confusion, now overflowed with joy and festivity, because the Lord Almighty had appeared.

31   Some of Heliodorus's companions hastily begged Onias to pray to the Most High, and so to spare the life of their master now lying at his very last gasp. 32   The high priest, fearing that the king might suspect that Heliodorus had met with foul play at the hands of the Jews, brought a sacrifice for the man's recovery. 33   As the high priest was making the expiation, the same young men, dressed as before, again appeared to Heliodorus. They stood over him and said: ‘Be very grateful to Onias the high priest; for his sake the Lord has spared your life. 34   You have been scourged by God; now tell all men of his mighty power.’ When they had said this, they vanished.

35   Heliodorus offered a sacrifice and made lavish vows to the Lord who had spared his life; then, after taking friendly leave of Onias, he led his troops back to the king. 36   He bore witness to everyone of the miracles of the supreme God which he had seen with his own eyes.

37   When the king asked him what sort of man would be suitable to send to Jerusalem another time, Heliodorus replied: 38   ‘If you have an enemy or someone plotting against your government, that is the place to send him; you will receive him back soundly flogged, if he survives at all, for beyond doubt there is a divine power surrounding the temple. 39   He whose habitation is in heaven watches over it himself

Syrian oppression of the Jews and gives it his aid; those who approach the place with evil intent he strikes and destroys.’

40   So runs the story of Heliodorus and the preservation of the treasury.

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