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.
28. They carried away helpless the man who a moment before had entered that treasury under arms with a great retinue and his whole bodyguard. They clearly recognized the sovereign power of God.
29. As Heliodorus lay speechless because of God’s action and deprived of any hope of recovery,
30. the people praised the Lord who had marvelously glorified his own place; and the temple, charged so shortly before with fear and commotion, was filled with joy and gladness, now that the almighty Lord had appeared.
31. Quickly some of the companions of Heliodorus begged Onias to call upon the Most High to spare the life of one who was about to breathe his last.
32. The high priest, suspecting that the king might think that Heliodorus had suffered some foul play at the hands of the Jews, offered a sacrifice for the man’s recovery.
33. While the high priest was offering the sacrifice of atonement, the same young men dressed in the same clothing again appeared and stood before Heliodorus. “Be very grateful to the high priest Onias,” they told him. “It is for his sake that the Lord has spared your life.
34. Since you have been scourged by Heaven, proclaim to all God’s great power.” When they had said this, they disappeared.
35. After Heliodorus had offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made most solemn vows to the one who had spared his life, he bade Onias farewell, and returned with his soldiers to the king.