20
Let us take pity on our youth and have compassion on our mother's age;
21
and let us seriously consider that if we disobey we are dead!
22
Also, divine justice will excuse us for fearing the king when we are under compulsion.
23
Why do we banish ourselves from this most pleasant life and deprive ourselves of this delightful world?
24
Let us not struggle against compulsion or take hollow pride in being put to the rack.
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.