3. So that Seleucus king of Asia allowed out of his revenues all the charges belonging to the ministry of the sacrifices.
4. But 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.
5. And when he could not overcome Onias he went to Apollonius the son of Tharseas, who at that time was governor of Celesyria and Phenicia:
6. And 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.
7. Now 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.
8. So Heliodorus forthwith began his journey, under a colour of visiting the cities of Celesyria and Phenicia, but indeed to fulfil the king's purpose.
9. And 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.
10. Then the high priest told him that these were sums deposited, and provisions for the subsistence of the widows and the fatherless.
11. And 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:
12. But 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.
13. But 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.
14. So on the day he had appointed, Heliodorus entered in to order this matter. But there was no small terror throughout the whole city.
15. And 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.
16. Now 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.
17. For 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.
18. Others also came hocking together out of their houses, praying and making public supplication, because the place was like to come into contempt.
19. And 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.
20. And all holding up their hands towards heaven, made supplication.
21. For the expectation of the mixed multitude, and of the high priest who was in an agony, would have moved any one to pity.
22. And 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.
23. But Heliodorus executed that which he had resolved on, himself being present in the same place with his guard about the treasury.