1 our counselor.
3Tyrant and counselor of lawlessness, in your hatred for us do not pity us more than we pity ourselves.
4For we consider this pity of yours, which ensures our safety through transgression of the law, to be more grievous than death itself.
5 they tightened the wheel further.
20The wheel was completely smeared with blood, and the heap of coals was being quenched by the drippings of gore, and pieces of flesh were falling off the axles of the machine.
21Although the ligaments joining his bones were already severed, the courageous youth, worthy of Abraham, did not groan,
22 or renounce our courageous family ties.
24Fight the sacred and noble battle for piety. Thereby the just Providence of our ancestors may become merciful to our nation and take vengeance on the accursed tyrant.”
25When he had said this, the devout youth broke the thread of life.
26While all were marveling at his courageous spirit, the guards brought forward the next eldest, and after fitting themselves with iron gauntlets having sharp hooks, they bound him to the torture machine and catapult.
27v 16Before torturing him, they inquired if he were willing to eat, and they heard his noble decision.
28These leopard-like beasts tore out his sinews with the iron hands, flayed all his flesh up to his chin, and tore away his scalp. But he steadfastly endured this agony and said,
29“How sweet is any kind of death for our ancestral piety!”
30To the tyrant he said, “Do you not think, you most savage tyrant, that you are being tortured more than I, as you see the arrogant design of your tyranny being defeated by our endurance for the sake of piety?
31I lighten my pain by the joys that come from virtue,
322 Macc 7.19but you suffer torture by the threats that come from impiety. You will not escape, you most abominable tyrant, the penalties of the divine wrath.”
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