trust safe and lure for those that had com
mitted them.
23 Nevertheless Heliodorus executed that which was decreed.
24 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.
' 2c For there appeared unto them an horle 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 har ness of gold.
26 Moreover two other young men ap peared 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.
27 And Heliodorus fell fuddcnly unto the ground, and was compassed with great darkness : but they that were with him took him up, and put him into a litter.
28 Thus him, that lately came with a great train and with all his guard into the laid treasury, they carried out, being un able to help himself with his weapons : and manifestly they acknowledged the power of God :
29 For he by the hand of God was cast down, and lay speechless without all hope of life.
30 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 silled with joy and gladness.
31 Then straightway s certain of He liodorus' friends prayed Onias, that he would call upon the most High to grant him his life, who lay ready to give up the ghost.
32 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.
33 Now as the high priest was miking an atonement, the fame young men in the feme clothing appeared and stood beside Heliodorus, saying, Give Onias the high priest great thanks, inlbmuch as for his lake the Lord hath granted thee life
34 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 appear- cir. ed no more.
35 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.
36 Then testified he to all men the works of the great God, which he had seen with his eyes.
37 And when the king asked Heliodorus, who might be a sit man to be lent yet once again to Jerusalem,, he sard',
38 If thou hast any enemy or traitor, send him thither, and thou (halt receive him well scourged, if he escape with his life : for in that place, no doubt, there is an especial power of God.
39 For he that dwelleth in heaven hath his eye on that place, and defendeth it j. and he beateth and destroyeth them that come to hurt it.
40 And the things concerning Heliodo rus, and the keeping of the treasury, fell out on this fort.
CHAP. IV.
THIS Simon now, of whom we spake ch- afore, having been a bewrayer of the money, and of his Country, slandered Onias, as if he had terrified Heliodorus^ and been the worker of these evils.
2 Thus was he bold to call him a traitor, that had deserved well of the city, and tendered his own nation, and was ib zea lous of the laws.
3 But when their hatred went so far, that by one of Simon s faction murders were committed,
4 Onias seeing the danger of this con tention, and that Apollonius, as being the governor of Celofyria and Phenice, did rage, and increase Simon's malice,
5 He went to the king, not to be an ac cuser of his countrymen, but seeking the good of all, both publick and private :
6 For he saw that it was impossible that; the state should continue quiet, and Simon
