3 — 2 Machabees

1Therefore, when the holy city was inhabited with all peace, and the laws as yet were very well kept, because of the godliness of Onias, the high priest and the hatred his soul had of evil,Nel tempo adunque che la santa città godeva una piena pace, e le leggi si osservavan tutt'ora esattamente per la pietà del pontefice Onia, e per l'odio, ch'ei portava in cuor suo all'iniquità,THEREFORE when the holie citie was inhabited in. al peace,. the lawes also as yet were very wel kept, because of Onias the high priest his pietie, & minde that hated euils,Igitur cum sancta civitas habitaretur in omni pace, leges etiam adhuc optime custodirentur, propter Oniæ pontificis pietatem, et animos odio habentes mala, 2It came to pass that even the kings themselves and the princes esteemed the place worthy of the highest honour, and glorified the temple with very great gifts:Ne avveniva, che gli stessi regi, e i principi sommo onore rendevano a quel luogo, e di ricchissimi doni ornavano il tempio:it came to passe that kinges also themselues, and princes esteemed the place worthie of high honour, and glorified the temple with verie great giftes:fiebat ut et ipsi reges et principes locum summo honore dignum ducerent, et templum maximis muneribus illustrarent: 3So that Seleucus, king of Asia, allowed out of his revenues all the charges belonging to the ministry of the sacrifices.Talmente che Seleuco re dell'Asia somministrava del suo tutte le spese occorrenti pe' sagrifizj.so that Seleucus the king of Asia of his reuenewes allowed al the charges perteyning to the ministerie of the sacrifices.ita ut Seleucus Asiæ rex de redditibus suis præstaret omnes sumptus ad ministerium sacrificiorum pertinentes. 4But one Simon, of the tribe of Benjamin, who was appointed overseer of the temple, strove in opposition to the high priest, to bring about some unjust thing in the city.Ma Simone della tribù di Beniamin creato prefetto del tempio faceva ogni sforzo per macchinar qualche empia cosa nella città; ma se gli opponeva il sommo Sacerdote.But Simon of the tribe of Beniamin, being appointed ouerseer of the temple, ••contended, the prince of the priestes resisting him, to worke some wicked thing in the citie.Simon autem de tribu Benjamin, præpositus templi constitutus, contendebat, obsistente sibi principe sacerdotum, iniquum aliquid in civitate moliri. 5And when he could not overcome Onias, he went to Apollonius, the son of Tharseas, who at that time was governor of Celesyria, and Phenicia:Ed egli non potendo vincere Onia andò a ritrovare Apollonio figliuolo di Tharsea, il quale in quel tempo governava la Celesiria, e la Fenicia:And 2. when he could not ouercome Onias, he came to Appollonius the sonne of Tharsaeas, who at that time was gouernour of Caelesyria, and Phaenicia:Sed cum vincere Oniam non posset, venit ad Apollonium Tharsææ filium, qui eo tempore erat dux Cœlesyriæ et Phœnicis:

6And told him, that the treasury in Jerusalem was full of immense sums of money, and the common store was infinite, which did not belong to the account of the sacrifices: and that it was possible to bring all into the king’s hands.E gli raccontò, che l'erario di Gerusalemme era pieno di inestimabili ricchezze, e che il tesoro del comune, il quale non serviva per le occorrenze de' sagrifizj, era immenso, e che era possibile di mettere ogni cosa nelle mani del re.and told him, that the treasurie at Ierusalem was ful of innumerable deale of money, and the common store to be infinite, which perteyne not to the account of the sacrifices: and that it is possible, al might fal into the kings powre.et nuntiavit ei pecuniis innumerabilibus plenum esse ærarium Jerosolymis, et communes copias immensas esse, quæ non pertinent ad rationem sacrificiorum: esse autem possibile sub potestate regis cadere universa. 7Now when Apollonius had given the king notice concerning the money that he was told of, he called for Heliodorus, who had the charge over his affairs, and sent him with commission to bring him the foresaid money.Or avendo Apollonio notificate al re le ricchezze, delle quali era stata fatta a lui relazione, quegli, chiamato a se Eliodoro suo ministro, lo spedì colla commissione di portar via tutto quel denaro.And 3. when Appollonius had made relation to the king, concerning the money that he was told of he calling for Heliodorus, who was ouer his affayres, sent him with commission to transport the foresayde money.Cumque retulisset ad regem Apollonius de pecuniis quæ delatæ erant, illæ accitum Heliodorum, qui erat super negotia ejus, misit, cum mandatis ut prædictam pecuniam transportaret. 8So Heliodorus forthwith began his journey, under a colour of visiting the cities of Celesyria and Phenicia, but indeed to fulfil the king’s purpose.Ed Eliodoro si messe tosto in viaggio col pretesto di visitare la Celesira, e la Fenicia, ma di fatto per eseguire l'intenzione del re.And forthwith Heliodorus began to take his iourney, in shew in dede as if he would goe visite the cities through out Coelesyria and Phaenicia, but in very deede to accomplish the kings purpose.Statimque Heliodorus iter est agressus, specie quidem quasi per Cœlesyriam et Phœnicen civitates esset peragraturus, re vera autem regis propositum perfecturus. 9And when he was come to Jerusalem, and had been courteously received in the city by the high priest, he told him what information had been given concerning the money: and declared the cause for which he was come: and asked if these things were so indeed.Ma giunto egli a Gerusalemme, e accolto cortesemente nella città dal pontefice Onia, raccontò a lui la scoperta fatta di quelle ricchezze, e manifestò il fine di sua venuta, e domandò se veramente la cosa stava in quel modo.But when he was come to Ierusalem, and was curteously receiued in the citie by the highpriest, he told of the the aduertisment geuen of the money: and opened for what cause he was come: and asked if these thinges were so in very deede.Sed cum venisset Jerosolymam, et benigne a summo sacerdote in civitate esset exceptus, narravit de dato indicio pecuniarum, et cujus rei gratia adesset, aperuit: interrogabat autem si vere hæc ita essent.

10Then the high priest told him that these were sums deposited, and provisions for the subsistence of the widows and the fatherless:Allora il sommo Sacerdote gli dimostrò, che quegli erano depositi, e sostentamento delle vedove, e dei pupilli:Then the highpriest shewed that these were deposita, and the liuelihoods of widowes, and pupils:Tunc summus sacerdos ostendit deposita esse hæc, et victualia viduarum et pupillorum: 11And that some part of that which wicked Simon had given intelligence of belonged to Hircanus, son of Tobias, a man of great dignity; and that the whole was four hundred talents of silver, and two hundred of gold.E che di quello, che era stato riferito dall'empio Simone, una parte era di Ircano Tobia uomo di gran condizione, e che in tutto v'erano quattro cento talenti d'argento, e dugento di oro:but certaine of them to belong vnto Hircanus of Tobie a very noble man, among these thinges, which impious Simon had promoted, & the whole to be of siluer foure hundred talents, and of gold two hundred.quædam vero esse Hircani Tobiæ viri valde eminentis, in his quæ detulerat impius Simon: universa autem argenti talenta esse quadringenta, et auri ducenta: 12But that to deceive them who had trusted to the place and temple which is honoured throughout the whole world, for the reverence and holiness of it, was a thing which could not by any means be done.Che poi dovessero rimanere defraudati quelli, i quali aveano fidato il suo a quel luogo, e a quel tempio onorato da tutta la terra per la sua dignità, e santità, non era da permettersi in verun modo.And that they should be deceiued which had committed it to the place, & the temple, that is honoured through out the whole world, to be a thing, for the reuerence, and holines therof altogether vnpossible.decipi vero eos qui credidissent loco et templo quod per universum mundum honoratur pro sui veneratione et sanctitate, omnino impossibile esse. 13But he, by reason of the orders he had received from the king, said, that by all means the money must be carried to the king.Ma quegli mettendo fuora gli ordini del re diceva, che in tutti i modi doveva esser portato al re quel tesoro.But he by reason of those thinges, which he had in commission of the king, sayd in any wise that they must be caried to the king.At ille pro his quæ habebat in mandatis a rege, dicebat omni genere regi ea esse deferenda.

14So on the day he had appointed, Heliodorus entered in to order this matter. But there was no small terror throughout the whole city.E in un giorno determinato entrò Eliodoro nel tempio per venire a capo dell'affare; e non era leggero il tumulto per tutta quanta la città.And on a day appointed, Heliodorus entered in to take order concerning these thinges. But there was noe smal trembling through out the whole citie.Constituta autem die, intrabat de his Heliodorus ordinaturus. Non modica vero per universam civitatem erat trepidatio. 15And the priests prostrated themselves before the altar in their priests’ vestments, and called upon him from heaven, who made the law concerning things given to be kept, that he would preserve them safe, for them that had deposited them.I sacerdoti stavan prostrati per terra dinanzi all'altare colle loro vesti sacerdotali, e invocavano dal cielo colui, il quale diede legge intorno ai depositi, affinchè salvi li conservasse ai depositari.And the priestes cast themselues before the altar with their priestes stoles, and inuocated him from heauen, which made the law of deposita, that he would kepe the thinges safe, from them that had deposed them.Sacerdotes autem ante altare cum stolis sacerdotalibus jactaverunt se, et invocabant de cælo eum qui de depositis legem posuit, ut his qui deposuerant ea salva custodiret. 16Now whosoever saw the countenance of the high priest, was wounded in heart: for his face, and the changing of his colour, declared the inward sorrow of his mind.Chi poi osservava il volto del sommo Sacerdote si sentiva passar il cuore, perocché il cambiamento della faccia, e del color naturale mostravan l'interno dolore dell'animo:But now he that saw the countenance of the high priest, was wounded in minde: for his face and colour being changed declared the inner sorow of the minde.Jam vero qui videbat summi sacerdotis vultum, mente vulnerabatur: facies enim et color immutatus declarabat internum animi dolorem: 17For the man was so compassed with sadness and horror of the body, that it was manifest to them that beheld him, what sorrow he had in his heart.Imperocché una certa mestizia, ond'egli era circondato, e l'orridezza del suo corpo manifesta rendevano l'afflizione del cuore.For there was a certaine pensiuenes powred about the man, and horrour of the bodie, wherby the sorow of his hart was made manifest to them that beheld him.circumfusa enim erat mœstitia quædam viro, et horror corporis, per quem manifestus aspicientibus dolor cordis ejus efficiebatur.

18Others also came flocking together out of their houses, praying and making public supplication, because the place was like to come into contempt.Altri poi concorrevano a truppe dalle loro case, con pubbliche preghiere chiedendo, che non rimanesse esposto al dispregio quel luogo.Others also came flocking together out of their houses: praying with publicke supplication, for that the place was to come into contempt.Alii etiam gregatim de domibus confluebant, publica supplicatione obsecrantes, pro eo quod in contemptum locus esset venturus. 19And the women, girded with haircloth about their breasts, came together in the streets. And the virgins also that were shut up, came forth, some to Onias, and some to the walls, and others looked out of the windows.E le donne co' cilizj sul petto si affollavano nelle piazze, e le stesse vergini, che stavan rinchiuse correvano verso Onia, e altre verso le mura; e alcune stavan guardando dalle finestre:And the wemen hauing their breast girded with heareclothes, came together through the stretes. Yea and the virgins that were shut vp, came forth to Onias, and some to the walles, but some looked through the windowes:Accinctæque mulieres ciliciis pectus, per plateas confluebant: sed et virgines quæ conclusæ erant, procurrebant ad Oniam, aliæ autem ad muros, quædam vero per fenestras aspiciebant: 20And all holding up their hands towards heaven made supplication.E tutte alzando le mani al cielo faceano preghiere;and al stretching forth their handes vnto heauen, prayed.universæ autem protendentes manus in cælum, deprecabantur: 21For the expectation of the mixed multitude, and of the high priest, who was in an agony, would have moved any one to pity.Perocché degno di compassione era lo spettacolo di quella confusa turba di gente, e del sommo Sacerdote posto in tal cimento.For the expectation of the confuse multitude, and of the grand priest being in an agonie, was miserable.erat enim misera commistæ multitudinis, et magni sacerdotis in agone constituti exspectatio. 22And these indeed called upon almighty God, to preserve the things that had been committed to them safe and sure for those that had committed them.E quelli dalla parte loro invocavano Dio onnipotente, affinchè quello, che ad essi era stato fidato restasse salvo, e intatto a chi lo avea messo nelle lor mani.And these certes inuocated almightie God, that the thinges committed to them, might be performed with al integritie for them that had committed the same of trust.Et hi quidem invocabant omnipotentem Deum, ut credita sibi his qui crediderant, cum omni integritate conservarentur.

23But Heliodorus executed that which he had resolved on, himself being present in the same place with his guard about the treasury.Ma Eliodoro eseguiva quel, che avea risoluto, trovandosi egli stesso co' suoi sgherri presso all'erario.But Heliodorus exercised that which he had decreed in the same place himself present with his gard about the treasurie.Heliodorus autem, quod decreverat, perficiebat eodem loco ipse cum satellitibus circa ærarium præsens. 24But the spirit of the Almighty God gave a great evidence of his presence, so that all that had presumed to obey him, falling down by the power of God, were struck with fainting and dread.Ma lo spirito di Dio onnipotente si fece vedere, e conoscere chiaramente, di modo che tutti quelli, che ebber coraggio di ubbidire ad Eliodoro, rovesciati a terra per divina virtù, rimaser privi di forze, e pieni di spavento.But the spirit of almightie God made great euidence of his appearing, so that al which had presumed to obey him, falling by the vertue of God, were turned into dissolution and feare.Sed spiritus omnipotentis Dei magnam fecit suæ ostensionis evidentiam, ita ut omnes qui ausi fuerant parere ei, ruentes Dei virtute, in dissolutionem et formidinem converterentur. 25For there appeared to them a horse, with a terrible rider upon him, adorned with a very rich covering: and he ran fiercely and struck Heliodorus with his fore feet, and he that sat upon him seemed to have armour of gold.Perocché apparve loro un cavallo, che portava un terribile cavaliere, magnificamente vestito, e quello diede furiosamente dei calci coi piedi d'avanti a Eliodoro: il cavaliere poi che lo montava pareva, che avesse armi di oro.For there appeared to them a certaine horse hauing a terrible rider, adorned with very rich harnesse: and he with feircenes stroke Heliodorus with his forefoote, and he that sate vpon him, seemed to haue armour of gold.Apparuit enim illis quidam equus terribilem habens sessorem, optimis operimentis adornatus: isque cum impetu Heliodoro priores calces elisit: qui autem ei sedebat, videbatur arma habere aurea. 26Moreover there appeared two other young men, beautiful and strong, bright and glorious, and in comely apparel: who stood by him, on either side, and scourged him without ceasing with many stripes.Comparvero ancora due altri giovani di virile beltà, maestosi, ornati di vaghe vesti, i quali stando l'uno da un lato, l'altro dall'altro accanto ad Eliodoro, lo battevano senza pausa, dandogli molte sferzate.There appeared also two other yong men comely for strength, excellent of glorie, and beautiful in attyre: which stood about him, and on both sides whipped him, beating him with manie stripes without intermission.Alii etiam apparuerunt duo juvenes virtute decori, optimi gloria, speciosique amictu: qui circumsteterunt eum, et ex utraque parte flagellabant, sine intermissione multis plagis verberantes.

27And Heliodorus suddenly fell to the ground, and they took him up, covered with great darkness, and having put him into a litter, they carried him out.Ed Eliodoro subitamente cadde per terra, e involto com'era da densa caligine lo pigliaron di peso, e in una sedia portatile lo miser fuora.And Heliodorus sodenly fel on the ground, & they tooke him being couered round about with much darkenes, and being set in a seate portatiue, they thrust him forth.Subito autem Heliodorus concidit in terram, eumque multa caligine circumfusum rapuerunt, atque in sella gestatoria positum ejecerunt. 28So he that came with many servants, and all his guard, into the aforesaid treasury, was carried out, no one being able to help him, the manifest power of God being known.E quegli che nell'erario predetto era entrato con molti sgherri, e satelliti, era portato via, senza che alcuno potesse aiutarlo, fattasi visibilmente conoscere la mano di Dio:And he that with manie currers, and men of his garde entered into the foresayde treasurie, was caried no man geuing him succourse, the manifest powre of God being knowne.Et is, qui cum multis cursoribus et satellitibus prædictum ingressus est ærarium, portabatur nullo sibi auxilium ferente, manifesta Dei cognita virtute: 29And he indeed, by the power of God, lay speechless, and without all hope of recovery.Ed egli per effetto della possanza di Dio giaceva muto, e senza speranza aver di salute.And he in deede by the powre of God lay dumbe, and depriued of al hope, and health.et ille quidem per divinam virtutem jacebat mutus, atque omni spe et salute privatus. 30But they praised the Lord, because he had glorified his place: and the temple, that a little before was full of fear and trouble, when the Almighty Lord appeared, was filled with joy and gladness.Ma quelli benedicevano il Signore, perché avea glorificata la sua casa; e il tempio, che poco avanti era pieno di tumulto, e di terrori, si riempì di allegrezza, e di gaudio.But they blessed our Lord, because he magnified his place: and the temple, that a little before was ful of feare and tumult, almightie God appearing, was filled with ioy and gladnes.Hi autem Dominum benedicebant, quia magnificabat locum suum: et templum, quod paulo ante timore ac tumultu erat plenum, apparente omnipotente Domino, gaudio et lætitia impletum est. 31Then some of the friends of Heliodorus forthwith begged of Onias, that he would call upon the Most High to grant him his life, who was ready to give up the ghost.Allora alcuni degli amici di Eliodoro si fecer tosto a pregare Onia, che invocasse l'Altissimo, affinché donasse la vita a lui ridotto già agli estremi.And then certaine of the freindes of Heliodorus forth with desired Onias, that he would inuocate the highest to geue him life, who was at the very last gaspe.Tunc vero ex amicis Heliodori quidam rogabant confestim Oniam, ut invocaret Altissimum ut vitam donaret ei qui in supremo spiritu erat constitutus.

32So the high priest, considering that the king might perhaps suspect that some mischief had been done to Heliodorus by the Jews, offered a sacrifice of health for the recovery of the man.E il sommo Sacerdote considerando, che forse il re potrebbe aver sospetto, che i Giudei avesser fatto qualche tradimento ad Eliodoro, offerse vittima di salute per la sua guarigione.And the high priest considering least perhaps the king might suspect some malice on the Iewes part downe aboute Heliodorus, offered for the health of the man an healthful host.Considerans autem summus sacerdos ne forte rex suspicaretur malitiam aliquam ex Judæis circa Heliodorum consummatum, obtulit pro salute viri hostiam salutarem. 33And when the high priest was praying, the same young men in the same clothing stood by Heliodorus, and said to him: Give thanks to Onias the priest: because for his sake the Lord hath granted thee life.E mentre il sommo Sacerdote faceva orazione, gli stessi due giovani vestiti delle stesse vestì stando presso a Eliodoro gli dissero: Rendi grazie ad Onia sommo Sacerdote, perocché per amore di lui il Signore ti dona la vita.And when the high priest by prayer obteyned, the selfe same yong men, clothed with the same garments, standing by Heliodorus, sayd: Geue thankes to Onias the priest: for him hath our Lord geuen thee life.Cumque summus sacerdos exoraret, iidem juvenes eisdem vestibus amicti astantes Heliodoro, dixerunt: Oniæ sacerdoti gratias age: nam propter eum Dominus tibi vitam donavit. 34And thou having been scourged by God, declare unto all men the great works and the power of God. And having spoken thus, they appeared no more.Or tu gastigato da Dio racconta a tutti le meraviglie di Dio, e la sua possanza. E detto questo sparirono.But thou being scourged of God, declare vnto al men the great workes and the powre of God. And these thinges being sayd, they appeared no more.Tu autem a Deo flagellatus, nuntia omnibus magnalia Dei, et potestatem. Et his dictis, non comparuerunt. 35So Heliodorus, after he had offered a sacrifice to God, and made great vows to him, that had granted him life, and given thanks to Onias, taking his troops with him, returned to the king.Ed Eliodoro avendo offerto sagrifizio a Dio, e fatti molti voti a lui, il quale gli avea donata la vita, e rendute grazie ad Onia, presa seco la sua gente, tornò al re.And Heliodorus hauing offered an host to God, and hauing promised great vowes to him, that granted him to liue, and geuing thankes to Onias, taking his armie againe returned to the king.Heliodorus autem, hostia Deo oblata, et votis magnis promissis ei qui vivere illi concessit, et Oniæ gratias agens, recepto exercitu, repedabat ad regem.

36And he testified to all men the works of the great God, which he had seen with his own eyes.E raccontava a tutti le opere del grande Iddio, le quali egli co' proprj occhi avea vedute.And he testified to al men those workes of the great God, which he had seene before his owne eyes.Testabatur autem omnibus ea quæ sub oculis suis viderat opera magni Dei. 37And when the king asked Heliodorus, who might be a fit man to be sent yet once more to Jerusalem, he said:E avendo il re domandato ad Eliodoro chi fosse buono per essere mandato un'altra volta a Gerusalemme, rispose:And when the king had asked Heliodorus; who was meete to be sent yet once more to Ierusalem, he sayd:Cum autem rex interrogasset Heliodorum, quis esset aptus adhuc semel Jerosolymam mitti, ait: 38If thou hast any enemy, or traitor to thy kingdom, send him thither, and thou shalt receive him again scourged, if so be he escape: for there is undoubtedly in that place a certain power of God.Se tu hai qualche nemico, o traditore del regno, mandalo là, e tornerà a te flagellato, se pure scamperà morte; perocché una certa virtù divina sta in quel luogo.If thou haue anie enemie, or traytour to thy kingdome, send him thither, and thou shalt receiue him againe scourged, if yet he escape: because there is vndoubtedly in the place a certaine powre of God.Si quem habes hostem, aut regni tui insidiatorem, mitte illuc, et flagellatum eum recipies, si tamen evaserit: eo quod in loco sit vere Dei quædam virtus. 39For he that hath his dwelling in the heavens, is the visitor and protector of that place, and he striketh and destroyeth them that come to do evil to it.Imperocché colui, che ha stanza ne' cieli visita, e protegge quel luogo, e percuote, e stermina chi va a farvi alcun male.For he that hath his dwelling in the heauens, is the visiter, and helper of that place, & them that come to doe euil, he striketh, and destroyeth.Nam ipse, qui habet in cælis habitationem, visitator et adjutor est loci illius, et venientes ad malefaciendum percutit ac perdit. 40And the things concerning Heliodorus, and the keeping of the treasury, fell out in this manner.Così adunque andaron le cose riguardo ad Eliodoro, e alla conservazione dell'erario.Therefore concerning Heliodorus, and the keping of the treasurie so the matter standeth.Igitur de Heliodoro et ærarii custodia ita res se habet.