7:24 Now Antiochus, thinking himself despised, and suspecting it to be
a reproachful speech, whilst the youngest was yet alive, did not only
exhort him by words, but also assured him with oaths, that he would
make him both a rich and a happy man, if he would turn from the laws of
his fathers; and that also he would take him for his friend, and trust
him with affairs.
7:25 But when the young man would in no case hearken unto him, the king
called his mother, and exhorted her that she would counsel the young
man to save his life.
7:26 And when he had exhorted her with many words, she promised him
that she would counsel her son.
7:27 But she bowing herself toward him, laughing the cruel tyrant to
scorn, spake in her country language on this manner; O my son, have
pity upon me that bare thee nine months in my womb, and gave thee such
three years, and nourished thee, and brought thee up unto this age, and
endured the troubles of education.
7:28 I beseech thee, my son, look upon the heaven and the earth, and
all that is therein, and consider that God made them of things that
were not; and so was mankind made likewise.
7:29 Fear not this tormentor, but, being worthy of thy brethren, take
thy death that I may receive thee again in mercy with thy brethren.
7:30 Whiles she was yet speaking these words, the young man said, Whom
wait ye for? I will not obey the king’s commandment: but I will obey
the commandment of the law that was given unto our fathers by Moses.
7:31 And thou, that hast been the author of all mischief against the
Hebrews, shalt not escape the hands of God.
7:32 For we suffer because of our sins.
7:33 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.
7:34 But thou, O godless man, and of all other most wicked, be not
lifted up without a cause, nor puffed up with uncertain hopes, lifting
up thy hand against the servants of God:
7:35 For thou hast not yet escaped the judgment of Almighty God, who
seeth all things.
7:36 For our brethren, who now have suffered a short pain, are dead
under God’s covenant of everlasting life: but thou, through the
judgment of God, shalt receive just punishment for thy pride.
7:37 But I, as my brethren, offer up my body and life for the laws of
our fathers, beseeching God that he would speedily be merciful unto our
nation; and that thou by torments and plagues mayest confess, that he
alone is God;
7:38 And that in me and my brethren the wrath of the Almighty, which is
justly brought upon our nation, may cease.
7:39 Than the king’ being in a rage, handed him worse than all the
rest, and took it grievously that he was mocked.
7:40 So this man died undefiled, and put his whole trust in the Lord.
7:41 Last of all after the sons the mother died.
7:42 Let this be enough now to have spoken concerning the idolatrous
feasts, and the extreme tortures.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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