10. The high priest explained that there were deposits for widows and orphans,
11. and some was the property of Hyrcanus, son of Tobias, a man who occupied a very high position. Contrary to the misrepresentations of the impious Simon, the total amounted only to four hundred talents of silver and two hundred of gold.
12. It was utterly unthinkable to defraud those who had placed their trust in the sanctity of the place and in the sacred inviolability of a temple venerated all over the world.
13. But Heliodorus, because of the orders he had from the king, said that in any case this money must be confiscated for the royal treasury.
14. So on the day he had set he went in to take an inventory of the funds. There was no little anguish throughout the city.
15. Priests prostrated themselves before the altar in their priestly robes, and called toward heaven for the one who had given the law about deposits to keep the deposits safe for those who had made them.
16. Whoever saw the appearance of the high priest was pierced to the heart, for the changed complexion of his face revealed his mental anguish.
17. The terror and bodily trembling that had come over the man clearly showed those who saw him the pain that lodged in his heart.
18. People rushed out of their houses and crowded together making common supplication, because the place was in danger of being profaned.
19. Women, girded with sackcloth below their breasts, filled the streets. Young women secluded indoors all ran, some to the gates, some to the walls, others peered through the windows—
20. all of them with hands raised toward heaven, making supplication.
21. It was pitiful to see the populace prostrate everywhere and the high priest full of dread and anguish.
22. While they were imploring the almighty Lord to keep the deposits safe and secure for those who had placed them in trust,
23. Heliodorus went on with his plan.
24. But just as Heliodorus was arriving at the treasury with his bodyguards, the Lord of spirits and all authority produced an apparition so great that those who had been bold enough to accompany Heliodorus were panic-stricken at God’s power and fainted away in terror.
25. There appeared to them a richly caparisoned horse, mounted by a fearsome rider. Charging furiously, the horse attacked Heliodorus with its front hooves. The rider was seen wearing golden armor.
26. Then two other young men, remarkably strong, strikingly handsome, and splendidly attired, appeared before him. Standing on each side of him, they flogged him unceasingly, inflicting innumerable blows.
27. Suddenly he fell to the ground, enveloped in great darkness. His men picked him up and laid him on a stretcher.