2Maccabees:3

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* Now 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 , * It came to pass that even the kings themselves did honour the place , and magnify the temple with their best gifts ; * Insomuch that Seleucus of Asia of his own revenues bare all the costs belonging to the service of the sacrifices . * But 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 . * And when he could not overcome Onias , he gat him to Apollonius the son of Thraseas , who then was governor of Celosyria and Phenice , * And 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 . * Now 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 . * So forthwith Heliodorus took his journey ; under a colour of visiting the cities of Celosyria and Phenice , but indeed to fulfil the king 's purpose . * And 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 . * Then the high priest told him that there was such money laid up for the relief of widows and fatherless children : * And 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 : * And 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 . * But Heliodorus , because of the king 's commandment given him , said , That in any wise it must be brought into the king 's treasury . * So at the day which he appointed he entered in to order this matter : wherefore there was no small agony throughout the whole city . * But the priests , prostrating themselves before the altar in their priests ' vestments , called unto heaven upon him that made a law concerning things given to he kept , that they should safely be preserved for such as had committed them to be kept . * Then 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 . * For 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 . * Others ran flocking out of their houses to the general supplication , because the place was like to come into contempt . * And 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 . * And all , holding their hands toward heaven , made supplication . * Then 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 . * They then called upon the Almighty Lord to keep the things committed of trust safe and sure for those that had committed them . * Nevertheless Heliodorus executed that which was decreed . * Now 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 . * For 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 . * Moreover 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 . * And 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 . * Thus 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 . * For he by the hand of God was cast down , and lay speechless without all hope of life . * But 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 . * Then 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 . * So 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 . * Now 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 : * And 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 . * So 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 . * Then testified he to all men the works of the great God , which he had seen with his eyes . * And when the king Heliodorus , who might be a fit man to be sent yet once again to Jerusalem , he said , * If 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 . * For 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 . * And the things concerning Heliodorus , and the keeping of the treasury , fell out on this sort .

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