2 Maccabees 3:22-34

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

The Lord Protects His Temple

²² While they were calling upon the Almighty Lord that he would keep what had been entrusted safe and secure for those who had entrusted it,^{(A) 23} Heliodorus went on with what had been decided. ²⁴ But when he arrived at the treasury with his bodyguard, then and there the Sovereign of spirits and of all authority caused so great a manifestation that all who had been so bold as to accompany him were astounded by the power of God and became faint with terror.^{(B) 25} For there appeared to them a magnificently adorned horse, with a rider of frightening appearance; it rushed furiously at Heliodorus and struck at him with its front hoofs. Its rider was seen to have armor and weapons of gold.^{(C) 26} Two young men also appeared to him, remarkably strong, gloriously beautiful and splendidly dressed, who stood on either side of him and flogged him continuously, inflicting many blows on him.^{(D) 27} When he suddenly fell to the ground and deep darkness came over him, his men took him up, put him on a stretcher,^{(E) 28} and carried him away—this man who had just entered the aforesaid treasury with a great retinue and all his bodyguard but was now unable to help himself with all his weapons. He recognized clearly the sovereign power of God.^(F)

Onias Prays for Heliodorus

²⁹ While he lay prostrate, speechless because of the divine intervention and deprived of any hope of recovery, ³⁰ they praised the Lord who had acted marvelously for his own place. And the temple, which a little while before was full of fear and disturbance, was filled with joy and gladness, now that the Almighty Lord had appeared.

³¹ Some of Heliodorus’s friends quickly begged Onias to call upon the Most High to grant life to one who was lying quite at his last breath.^{(G) 32} So the high priest, fearing that the king might get the notion that some foul play had been perpetrated by the Jews with regard to Heliodorus, offered sacrifice for the man’s recovery.^{(H) 33} While the high priest was making the atonement, the same young men appeared again to Heliodorus dressed in the same clothing, and they stood and said, “Be very grateful to the high priest Onias, since for his sake the Lord has granted you your life.^{(I) 34} And see that you, who have been flogged by heaven, report to all people the majestic power of God.” Having said this, they vanished.