13. But Heliodorus, because of the king’s commandments given him, said that in any case this money must be confiscated for the king’s treasury.
14. So having appointed a day, he entered in to direct the inquiry concerning these matters; and there was no small distress throughout the whole city.
15. And the priests, prostrating themselves before the altar in their priestly garments, and looking toward heaven, called upon him that gave the law concerning deposits, that he should preserve these treasures safe for those that had deposited them.
16. And whoever saw the mien of the high priest was wounded in mind; for his countenance and the change of his color betrayed the distress of his soul.
17. For a terror and a shuddering of the body had come over the man, whereby the pain that was in his heart was plainly shewn to them that looked upon him.
18. And they that were in the houses rushed flocking out to make a universal supplication, because the place was like to come into contempt.
19. And the women, girded with sackcloth under their breasts, thronged the streets, and the virgins that were kept in ward ran together, some to the gates, others to the walls, and some looked out through the windows.
20. And all, stretching forth their hands toward heaven, made their solemn supplication.
21. Then it would have pitied a man to see the multitude prostrating themselves all mingled together, and the expectation of the high priest in his sore distress.