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CHAPTER MACCABEES 3
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,
2
It came to pass that even the kings themselves did honour the place, and magnify the temple
with their best gifts;
3
Insomuch that Seleucus of Asia of his own revenues bare all the costs belonging to the service
of the sacrifices.
4
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.
5
And when he could not overcome Onias, he gat him to Apollonius the son of Thraseas, who
then was governor of Celosyria and Phenice,
6
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.
7
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.
8
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.
9
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.
10
Then the high priest told him that there was such money laid up for the relief of widows and
fatherless children:
11
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:
12
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.
13
But Heliodorus, because of the king's commandment given him, said, That in any wise it must
be brought into the king's treasury.
14
So at the day which he appointed he entered in to order this matter: wherefore there was no
small agony throughout the whole city.
15
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.
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