2 Macabeus 3

1Quando a cidade santa era habitada em plena paz, e as leis eram muito bem guardadas, por causa da piedade do sumo sacerdote Onias e do seu ódio à maldade,

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,

2aconteceu que até os próprios reis honravam o lugar e engrandeciam o templo com os seus melhores presentes;

2It came to pass that even the kings themselves did honour the place, and magnify the temple with their best gifts;

3de modo que Selêuco, rei da Ásia, custeava com as suas próprias rendas todas as despesas do serviço dos sacrifícios.

3Insomuch that Seleucus of Asia of his own revenues bare all the costs belonging to the service of the sacrifices.

4Mas um certo Simão, da tribo de Benjamim, que fora feito administrador do templo, desentendeu-se com o sumo sacerdote acerca da desordem na cidade.

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.

5E, não podendo vencer Onias, foi ter com Apolônio, filho de Traseas, que então era governador da Celessíria e da Fenícia,

5And when he could not overcome Onias, he gat him to Apollonius the son of Thraseas, who then was governor of Celosyria and Phenice,

6e disse-lhe que o tesouro de Jerusalém estava cheio de somas incalculáveis de dinheiro, de modo que a quantidade das suas riquezas, que não pertencia à conta dos sacrifícios, era inumerável, e que era possível fazer passar tudo para as mãos do rei.

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.

7Quando Apolônio foi ter com o rei e lhe falou do dinheiro de que fora informado, o rei escolheu Heliodoro, seu tesoureiro, e o enviou com ordem de lhe trazer o dito dinheiro.

7Now 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.

8Logo Heliodoro se pôs a caminho, sob pretexto de visitar as cidades da Celessíria e da Fenícia, mas na verdade para executar o propósito do rei.

8So forthwith Heliodorus took his journey; under a colour of visiting the cities of Celosyria and Phenice, but indeed to fulfil the king’s purpose.

9E, chegando a Jerusalém, e tendo sido recebido cortesmente pelo sumo sacerdote da cidade, contou-lhe a informação que fora dada acerca do dinheiro, e declarou por que viera, e perguntou se as coisas eram realmente assim.

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 wherefore he came, and asked if these things were so indeed.

10Então o sumo sacerdote lhe disse que havia ali dinheiro depositado para o sustento das viúvas e dos órfãos,

10Then the high priest told him that there was such money laid up for the relief of widows and fatherless children:

11e que uma parte pertencia a Hircano, filho de Tobias, homem de grande dignidade, e que não era como o ímpio Simão havia falsamente informado; e que a soma total era de quatrocentos talentos de prata e duzentos de ouro;

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:

12e que era de todo impossível fazer tal injustiça aos que haviam confiado na santidade do lugar e na majestade e inviolável santidade do templo, honrado em todo o mundo.

12And 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.

13Mas Heliodoro, por causa da ordem que recebera do rei, disse que de qualquer modo aquilo devia ser levado ao tesouro do rei.

13But Heliodorus, because of the king’s commandment given him, said, That in any wise it must be brought into the king’s treasury.

14Assim, no dia que determinou, entrou para tratar do assunto; por isso houve não pequena angústia em toda a cidade.

14So at the day which he appointed he entered in to order this matter: wherefore there was no small agony throughout the whole city.

15Mas os sacerdotes, prostrados diante do altar com as suas vestes sacerdotais, invocavam ao céu aquele que dera a lei acerca dos depósitos, para que os guardasse intactos aos que os haviam depositado.

15But the priests, prostrating themselves before the altar in their priests’ vestments, called unto heaven upon him that made a law concerning things given to be kept, that they should safely be preserved for such as had committed them to be kept.

16Quem então olhasse para o rosto do sumo sacerdote ficaria ferido no coração; pois o seu semblante e a mudança da sua cor manifestavam a angústia interior da sua alma.

16Then 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 inward agony of his mind.

17Pois o homem estava tão tomado de medo e de tremor do corpo, que era manifesto aos que o olhavam a dor que tinha no coração.

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.

18Outros saíam em bandos das suas casas para a súplica pública, porque o lugar estava para ser profanado.

18Others ran flocking out of their houses to the general supplication, because the place was like to come into contempt.

19E as mulheres, cingidas de saco abaixo dos seios, enchiam as ruas; e as virgens, que ficavam recolhidas, corriam, umas às portas, outras aos muros, e outras olhavam pelas janelas.

19And 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.

20E todas, estendendo as mãos para o céu, faziam súplicas.

20And all, holding their hands toward heaven, made supplication.

21Era de dar compaixão ver a multidão de toda sorte prostrada e o medo do sumo sacerdote em tamanha angústia.

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.

22Invocavam, pois, o Senhor Todo-Poderoso, para que guardasse seguros e intactos os depósitos para os que os haviam confiado.

22They then called upon the Almighty Lord to keep the things committed of trust safe and sure for those that had committed them.

23Contudo, Heliodoro executava o que fora decretado.

23Nevertheless Heliodorus executed that which was decreed.

24Mas, estando ele ali presente com a sua guarda junto ao tesouro, o Senhor dos espíritos e o Soberano de todo poder fez uma grande aparição, de modo que todos os que ousaram entrar com ele, espantados pelo poder de Deus, desfaleceram e ficaram cheios de pavor.

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.

25Pois lhes apareceu um cavalo com um cavaleiro terrível, adornado de riquíssimo arreio, que, correndo com ímpeto, atacou Heliodoro com as patas dianteiras; e o que montava o cavalo parecia ter uma armadura completa de ouro.

25For there appeared unto them an horse 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 harness of gold.

26Além disso, apareceram diante dele dois outros jovens, notáveis pela força, excelentes em formosura e magníficos nas vestes, que se puseram um de cada lado e o açoitavam sem cessar, dando-lhe muitos golpes.

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.

27E Heliodoro caiu subitamente por terra, envolvido em grandes trevas; mas os que estavam com ele o levantaram e o puseram numa liteira.

27And Heliodorus fell suddenly unto the ground, and was compassed with great darkness: but they that were with him took him up, and put him into a litter.

28Assim, aquele que pouco antes entrara no dito tesouro com grande séquito e com toda a sua guarda, levaram-no para fora, incapaz de valer-se das suas armas, reconhecendo manifestamente o poder de Deus.

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.

29Pois ele, pela mão de Deus, foi derrubado e jazia sem fala, sem nenhuma esperança de vida.

29For he by the hand of God was cast down, and lay speechless without all hope of life.

30Mas eles louvavam o Senhor, que glorificara maravilhosamente o seu próprio lugar; e o templo, que pouco antes estava cheio de medo e perturbação, encheu-se de gozo e alegria com a aparição do Senhor Todo-Poderoso.

30But 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 filled with joy and gladness.

31Então logo alguns dos amigos de Heliodoro pediram a Onias que invocasse o Altíssimo para conceder a vida ao que estava prestes a expirar.

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.

32Então o sumo sacerdote, receando que o rei suspeitasse que os judeus haviam cometido alguma traição contra Heliodoro, ofereceu um sacrifício pela saúde do homem.

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.

33E, enquanto o sumo sacerdote fazia a expiação, os mesmos jovens, com as mesmas vestes, apareceram de novo e se puseram junto a Heliodoro, dizendo: Dá muitas graças ao sumo sacerdote Onias, porque por amor dele o Senhor te concedeu a vida;

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 hath granted thee life:

34e tu, que foste açoitado pelo céu, anuncia a todos o grande poder de Deus. E, ditas estas palavras, desapareceram.

34And 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 appeared no more.

35Então Heliodoro, depois de oferecer sacrifício ao Senhor e fazer grandes votos àquele que lhe salvara a vida, e de saudar Onias, voltou com o seu exército para o rei.

35So 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.

36E testificava a todos as obras do grande Deus, que vira com os seus olhos.

36Then testified he to all men the works of the great God, which he had seen with his eyes.

37E, perguntando o rei a Heliodoro quem seria apto para ser enviado mais uma vez a Jerusalém, ele disse:

37And when the king asked Heliodorus, who might be a fit man to be sent yet once again to Jerusalem, he said,

38Se tens algum inimigo ou traidor do teu governo, envia-o para lá, e o receberás bem açoitado, se escapar com vida; pois naquele lugar há, sem dúvida, um poder especial de Deus.

38If thou hast any enemy or traitor, send him thither, and thou shalt receive him well scourged, if he escape with his life: for in that place, no doubt, there is an especial power of God.

39Pois aquele que habita no céu tem os olhos sobre aquele lugar e o defende, e fere e destrói os que vêm para lhe fazer mal.

39For he that dwelleth in heaven hath his eye on that place, and defendeth it; and he beateth and destroyeth them that come to hurt it.

40E assim se passaram as coisas acerca de Heliodoro e da guarda do tesouro.

40And the things concerning Heliodorus, and the keeping of the treasury, fell out on this sort.