29 For as the master builder of a new
house must care for the whole building ;
but he that undertaketh to set it out, and
paint it, must seek out fit things for the
adorning thereof : even so I think it is
with us.
30 To stand upon every point, and go over things at large, and to be curious in particulars, belongeth to the first au thor of the story :
31 But to use brevity, and avoid much labouring of the work, is to be granted to him that will make an abridgement.
32 Here then will we begin the story : onJy adding thus much to that which hath been said, that it is a foolish thing to make a long prologue, and to be lhort in the story itiblf.
CHAP. III.
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 mag nify the temple with their best gifts;
3 Insomuch that Seleucus king of Asia of his own revenues bare all the costs be longing to the service of the sacrifices.
4 But one Simon of the tribe of Benja min, who was made governor of the tem ple, 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 Tbraseas, who then was governor of Celosyria and Phenice,
6 And told him that the treasury in Je rusalem was full of infinite sums of money, so that the multitude of their riches, which did not pertain to the account of the sacri fices, was innumerable, and that it was pos sible 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 fore said money.
8 So forthwith Heliodorus took his jour ney, 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, CUR[sr and had been courteously received of the Cir.i»r. high priest of the city, he told him what intelligence was given of the money, and declared wherefore he came, and aiked 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 mould be done unto them, that had committed it to the holi ness 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 irt any wile 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 1 made a law concerning things given to be kept, 7' that they should safely be preserved for such as had committed them to be kept.
16 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 in ward agony of his mind.
17 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.
18 Others ran flocking out of their houses II to the general supplication, because the II Or, to place was like to come into contempt. raisup
19 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.
20 And all, holding their hands toward, heaven, made supplication.
21 Then it would have pitied a man to see the falling down of the multitude of all sorts,, and the t fear of tlue high priest, being in such an agopy.
22 They then called upon the Almighty Lord to keep the things committed of ptflatio*.
