15
for great is the struggle of the soul and the danger of eternal torment lying before those who transgress the commandment of God.
16
Therefore let us put on the full armor of self-control, which is divine reason.
17
For if we so die, Abraham and Isaac and Jacob will welcome us, and all the fathers will praise us."
18
Those who were left behind said to each of the brothers who were being dragged away, "Do not put us to shame, brother, or betray the brothers who have died before us."
19
You are not ignorant of the affection of family ties, which the divine and all-wise Providence has bequeathed through the fathers to their descendants and which was implanted in the mother's womb.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.