2 Maccabees 3

Old Testament · Brenton Septuagint with Greek parallel

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 τοίνυν πόλεως κατοικουμένης μετὰ πάσης εἰρήνης, καὶ τῶν νόμων ἕτι κάλλιστα συντηρουμένων διὰ τὴν Ὀνίου τοῦ ἀρχιερέως εὐσέβειάν τε καὶ μισοπονηρίαν,

2It came to pass that even the kings themselves did honor the place, and magnify the temple with their best gifts;συνέβαινε καὶ αὐτοὺς τοὺς βασιλεῖς τιμᾷν 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.Σίμων δέ τις ἐκ τῆς Βενιαμὶν φυλῆς προστάτης τοῦ ἱεροῦ καθεσταμένος, διηνέχθη τῷ ἀρχιερεῖ περὶ τῆς κατὰ τὴν πόλιν παρανομίας·

5And when he could not overcome Onias, he got him to Apollonius the son of Thraseas, who then was governor of Celosyria and Phenice,καὶ νικῆσαι τὸν Ὀνίαν μὴ δυνάμενος, ἦλθε πρὸς Ἀπολλώνιον Θρασαίου, τὸν κατʼ ἐκεῖνον τὸν καιρὸν κοιλῆς Συρίας καὶ Φοινίκης στρατηγόν.

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 προσήγγειλε περὶ τοῦ χρημάτων ἀμυθήτων γέμειν τὸ ἐν Ἱεροσολύμοις γαζοφυλάκιον, ὥστε τὸ πλῆθος τῶν διαφόρων ἐναρίθμητον εἶναι, καὶ μὴ προσήκειν αὐτὰ πρὸς τὸν τῶν θυσιῶν λόγον, εἶναι δὲ δυνατὸν ὑπὸ τὴν τοῦ βασιλέως ἐξουσίαν πεσεῖν ἅπαντα ταῦτα.

7Now when Apollonius came to the king, and had showed 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.Συμμίξας δὲ ὁ Ἀπολλώνιος τῷ βασιλεῖ, περὶ τῶν μηνυθέντων αὐτῷ χρημάτων ἐνεφάνισεν· ὁ δὲ προχειρισάμενος Ἡλιόδωρον τὸν ἐπὶ τῶν πραγμάτων, ἀπέστειλε δοὺς ἐντολὰς, τὴν τῶν προειρημένων χρημάτων ἐκκομιδὴν ποιήσασθαι.

8So forthwith Heliodorus took his journey; under a color of visiting the cities of Celosyria and Phenice, but indeed to fulfil the king's purpose.Εὐθέως δὲ ὁ Ἡλιόδωρος ἐποιεῖτο τὴν παρείαν, τῇ μὲν ἐμφάσει ὡς τὰς κατὰ κοίλην Συρίαν καὶ Φοινίκην πόλεις ἐφοδεύσων, τῷ πράγματι δὲ τὴν τοῦ βασιλέως πρόθεσιν ἐπιτελέσων.

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 therefore he came, and asked if these things were so indeed.Παραγενηθεὶς δὲ εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα, καὶ φιλοφρόνως ὑπὸ τοῦ ἀρχιερέως τῆς πόλεως ἀποδεχθείς, ἀνέθετο περὶ τοῦ γεγονότος ἐμφανισμοῦ, καὶ τίνος ἕνεκεν πάρεστι διεσάφήσεν· 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 παραθήκας 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 Τωβίου σφόδρα ἀνδρὸς ἐν ὑπεροχῇ κειμένου, οὐχ ὥσπερ ἦν διαβάλλων ὁ δυσσεβὴς Σίμων, τὰ δὲ πάντα ἀργυρίου τετρακόσια τάλαντα, χρυσίου δὲ διακόσια·

12And that it was altogether impossible that such wrongs should be done to them, that had committed it to the holiness of the place, and to the majesty and inviolable sanctity of the temple, honored 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 διʼ ἃς εἶχε βασιλικὰς ἐντολὰς, πάντως ἔλεγεν εἰς τὸ βασιλικὸν ἀναληπτέα ταῦτα εἶναι.

14So at the day which he appointed he entered in to order this matter: therefore there was no small agony throughout the whole city.Ταξάμενος δὲ ἡμέραν εἰσῄει τὴν περὶ τούτων ἐπίσκεψιν οἰκονομήσων· ἦν δὲ οὐ μικρὰ καθʼ ὅλην τὴν πόλιν ἀγωνία.

15But the priests, prostrating themselves before the altar in their priests' vestments, called to 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.Οἱ δὲ ἱερεῖς πρὸ τοῦ θυσιαστηρίου ἐν ταῖς ἱερατικαῖς στολαῖς ῥίψαντες ἑαυτοὺς, ἐπεκαλοῦντο εἰς οὐρανὸν τὸν περὶ παραθήκης 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 color 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 ἐνέφαινε 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, διʼ ὧν πρόδηλον ἐγένετο τοῖς θεωροῦσι 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.Οἱ δὲ ἐκ τῶν οἰκιῶν ἀγεληδὸν ἐξεπήδων ἐπὶ πάνδημον ἱκετείαν, διὰ τὸ μέλλειν εἰς καταφρόνησιν ἔρχεσθαι τὸν τόπον.

19And the women, girded 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 ἐπλήθυον· 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 οὐρανον, 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 δʼ ἦν τὴν τοῦ πλήθους παμμιγῆ πρόπτωσιν, τήν τε τοῦ μεγάλως διαγωνιῶντος 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 παντοκράτορα Θεὸν τὰ πεπιστευμένα τοῖς πεπιστευκόσι σῶα διαφυλάγγειν 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 πατέρων Κύριος 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 to them an horse with a terrible rider upon him, and adorned with a very fair covering, and he ran fiercely, and struck 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 ἐνέσεισε 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 προεφάνησαν αὐτῷ νεανίαι, τῇ ῥώμῃ μὲν ἐκπρεπεῖς, κάλλιστοι δὲ τῇ δόξῃ, διαπρεπεῖς δὲ τὴν περιβολήν· οἳ καὶ παρασταντες ἐξ ἑκατέρου μέρους, ἐμαστίγουν αὐτὸν ἀδιαλείπτως, πολλὰς ἐπιῤῥιπτοῦντες αὐτῷ πληγάς.

27And Heliodorus fell suddenly to 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 ἔῤῥιπτο.

30But they praised the Lord, that had miraculously honored his own place: for the temple; which a little before 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 Ὀνίαν ἐπικαλέσασθαι τὸν ὕψιστον, καὶ τὸ ζῇν χαρίσασθι 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 ἀρχιερεῦς, μήποτε διάληψιν ὁ βασιλεὺς σχῇ, κακουργίαν τινὰ περὶ τὸν Ἡλιόδωρον ὑπὸ τῶν Ἰουδαίων συντετελέσθαι, προσήγαγε 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 has granted you life:Ποιουμένου δὲ τοῦ ἀρχιερέως τὸν ἱλασμὸν, οἱ αὐτοὶ νεανίαι πάλιν ἐφάνησαν τῷ Ἡλιοδώρῳ ἐν ταῖς αὐταῖς ἐσθήσεσιν ἐστολισμένοι, καὶ στάντες εἶπον, πολλὰς τῷ Ὀνία τῷ ἀρχιερεῖ χάριτας ἔχε, διὰ γὰρ αὐτὸν σοι κεχάρισται τὸ ζῇν ὁ Κύριος.

34And seeing that you have been scourged from heaven, declare to all men the mighty power of God. And when they had spoken these words, they appeared no more.Σὺ δὲ ὑπʼ αὐτοῦ μεμαστιγωμένος διάγγελε πᾶσι τὸ μεγαλεῖον τοῦ Θεοῦ κράτος· ταῦτα δὲ εἰπόντες ἀφανεῖς ἐγένοντο.

35So Heliodorus, after he had offered sacrifice to the Lord, and made great vows to 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 ζῇν περιποιήσαντι, καὶ τὸν Ὀνίαν ἀποδεξάμενος, ἀνεστρατοπέδευσε 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 ὑπʼ ὄψιν τεθεαμένος ἔργα τοῦ μεγίστου Θεοῦ.

37And when the king 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 Ἱεροσόλυμα, ἔφησεν,

38If you have any enemy or traitor, send him there, and you shall 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 διασωθείη, διὰ τὸ περὶ τὸν τόπον ἀληθῶς εἶναί τινα Θεοῦ δύναμιν.

39For he that dwells in heaven has his eye on that place, and defends it; and he beats and destroys them that come to hurt it.Αὐτὸς γὰρ ὁ τὴν κατοικίαν ἐπουράνιον ἔχων, ἐπόπτης ἐστὶ καὶ βοηθὸς ἐκείνου τοῦ τόπου, καὶ τοὺς παραγινομένους ἐπὶ κακώσει, τύπτων ἀπόλλυσι.

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.