4 Maccabees 3:19-4:14

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

An Attempt on the Temple Treasury

¹⁹ The present occasion now invites us to a narrative demonstration of temperate reason.

²⁰ At a time when our ancestors were enjoying profound peace because of their observance of the law and were prospering, so that even Seleucus Nicanor, king of Asia, had both appropriated money to them for the temple service and recognized their way of life— ²¹ just at that time certain persons attempted a revolution against the public harmony and caused many and various disasters.^(A)

4 Now there was a certain Simon, a political opponent of the noble and good man Onias, who then held the high priesthood for life. When, despite bringing charges against him on behalf of the nation, he was unable to injure Onias, he fled the country with the purpose of betraying it.^{(B) 2} So he came to Apollonius, governor of Syria, Phoenicia, and Cilicia, and said,^{(C) 3} “I have come here because I am loyal to the king’s government, to report that in the Jerusalem treasuries there are deposited tens of thousands in private funds that are not the property of the temple but belong to King Seleucus.”^{(D) 4} When Apollonius learned the details of these things, he praised Simon for his service to the king and went up to Seleucus to inform him of the rich treasure.^{(E) 5} On receiving authority to deal with this matter, he proceeded quickly to our country accompanied by the accursed Simon and a very strong military force. ⁶ He said that he had come with the king’s authority to seize the private funds in the treasury.^{(F) 7} The people indignantly protested his words, considering it outrageous that those who had committed deposits to the sacred treasury should be deprived of them, and did all that they could to prevent it.^{(G) 8} But, uttering threats, Apollonius went on to the temple. ⁹ While the priests together with women and children were imploring God in the temple to shield the holy place that was being treated so contemptuously,^{(H) 10} and while Apollonius was going up with his armed forces to seize the money, angels on horseback with lightning flashing from their weapons appeared from heaven, instilling in them great fear and trembling.^{(I) 11} Then Apollonius fell down half-dead in the temple area that was open to all, stretched out his hands toward heaven, and with tears begged the Hebrews to pray for him and propitiate the wrath of the heavenly army.^{(J) 12} For he said that he had committed a sin deserving of death and that if he were spared he would praise the blessedness of the holy place before all people.^{(K) 13} Moved by these words, although otherwise cautious lest King Seleucus suppose that Apollonius had been overcome by human treachery and not by divine justice, the high priest Onias prayed for him. ¹⁴ So Apollonius,^[a] having been saved beyond all expectations, went away to report to the king what had happened to him.