2 Macc 7

1 It came to pass also, that seven brethren with their mother were taken, and compelled bythe king against the law to taste swine's flesh, and were tormented with scourges and whips. 2 But one of them that spoke first said thus, What would you ask or learn of us? we areready to die, rather than to transgress the laws of our fathers. 3 Then the king, being in a rage, commanded pans and caldrons to be made hot: 4 Which forthwith being heated, he commanded to cut out the tongue of him that spoke first,and to cut off the utmost parts of his body, the rest of his brethren and his mother looking on. 5 Now when he was thus maimed in all his members, he commanded him being yet alive to bebrought to the fire, and to be fried in the pan: and as the vapor of the pan was for a good space dispersed,they exhorted one another with the mother to die manfully, saying thus, 6 The Lord God looks upon us, and in truth has comfort in us, as Moses in his song, whichwitnessed to their faces, declared, saying, And he shall be comforted in his servants. 7 So when the first was dead after this number, they brought the second to make him a mockingstock: and when they had pulled off the skin of his head with the hair, they asked him, Wilt you eat,before you be punished throughout every member of your body? 8 But he answered in his own language, and said, No. Wherefore he also received the nexttorment in order, as the former did. 9 And when he was at the last gasp, he said, You like a fury take us out of this presentlife, but the King of the world shall raise us up, who have died for his laws, to everlasting life. 10 After him was the third made a mocking stock: and when he was required, he put out histongue, and that right soon, holding forth his hands manfully. 11 And said courageously, These I had from heaven; and for his laws I despise them; andfrom him I hope to receive them again. 12 Insomuch that the king, and they that were with him, marveled at the young man's courage,for that he nothing regarded the pains. 13 Now when this man was dead also, they tormented and mangled the fourth in like manner. 14 So when he was ready to die he said thus, It is good, being put to death by men, to lookfor hope from God to be raised up again by him: as for you, you shall have no resurrection to life. 15 Afterward they brought the fifth also, and mangled him. 16 Then looked he to the king, and said, You have power over men, you are corruptible, youdo what you will; yet think not that our nation is forsaken of God; 17 But abide a while, and behold his great power, how he will torment you and your seed. 18 After him also they brought the sixth, who being ready to die said, Be not deceived withoutcause: for we suffer these things for ourselves, having sinned against our God: therefore marvelous thingsare done to us. 19 But think not you, that take in hand to strive against God, that you shall escape unpunished. 20 But the mother was marvelous above all, and worthy of honorable memory: for when shesaw her seven sons slain within the space of one day, she bare it with a good courage, because of thehope that she had in the Lord. 21 Yes, she exhorted every one of them in her own language, filled with courageous spirits;and stirring up her womanish thoughts with a manly stomach, she said to them, 22 I can’t tell how you⌃ came into my womb: for I neither gave you breath nor life, neitherwas it I that formed the members of every one of you; 23 But doubtless the Creator of the world, who formed the generation of man, and found outthe beginning of all things, will also of his own mercy give you breath and life again, as you⌃ now regardnot your own selves for his laws' sake. 24 Now Antiochus, thinking himself despised, and suspecting it to be a reproachful speech,while the youngest was yet alive, did not only exhort him by words, but also assured him with oaths, thathe would make him both a rich and a happy man, if he would turn from the laws of his fathers; and thatalso he would take him for his friend, and trust him with affairs. 25 But when the young man would in no case hearken to him, the king called his mother, andexhorted her that she would counsel the young man to save his life. 26 And when he had exhorted her with many words, she promised him that she would counselher son. 27 But she bowing herself toward him, laughing the cruel tyrant to scorn, spoke in her countrylanguage on this manner; O my son, have pity upon me that bare you nine months in my womb, and gave yousuch three years, and nourished you, and brought you up to this age, and endured the troubles of education. 28 I beseech you, my son, look upon the heaven and the earth, and all that is therein, andconsider that God made them of things that were not; and so was mankind made likewise. 29 Fear not this tormentor, but, being worthy of your brethren, take your death that I mayreceive you again in mercy with your brethren. 30 Whiles she was yet speaking these words, the young man said, Whom wait you⌃ for? I willnot obey the king's commandment: but I will obey the commandment of the law that was given to our fathersby Moses. 31 And you, that have been the author of all mischief against the Hebrews, shall not escapethe hands of God. 32 For we suffer because of our sins. 33 And though the living Lord be angry with us a little while for our chastening and correction,yet shall he be at one again with his servants. 34 But you, O godless man, and of all other most wicked, be not lifted up without a cause,nor puffed up with uncertain hopes, lifting up your hand against the servants of God: 35 For you have not yet escaped the judgment of Almighty God, who sees all things. 36 For our brethren, who now have suffered a short pain, are dead under God's covenant ofeverlasting life: but you, through the judgment of God, shall receive just punishment for your pride. 37 But I, as my brethren, offer up my body and life for the laws of our fathers, beseechingGod that he would speedily be merciful to our nation; and that you by torments and plagues may confess,that he alone is God; 38 And that in me and my brethren the wrath of the Almighty, which is justly brought uponour nation, may cease. 39 Than the king' being in a rage, handed him worse than all the rest, and took it grievouslythat he was mocked. 40 So this man died undefiled, and put his whole trust in the Lord. 41 Last of all after the sons the mother died. 42 Let this be enough now to have spoken concerning the idolatrous feasts, and the extremetortures.