37
Now there was accused unto Nicanor one Razis, one of the elders of Jerusalem, a lover of his countrymen and a man of very good report, who, for his kindness, was called a father of the Jews.
38
For in the former times, when they mingled not themselves with the Gentiles, he had been accused of Judaism, and boldly jeopardized his body and life with all vehemency for the religion of the Jews.
39
So Nicanor, willing to declare the hate that he bore for the Jews, sent above five hundred men of war to take him;
40
for he thought, by taking him, to do the Jews much hurt.
41
Now when the multitude was about to take the tower and were violently breaking into the outer door, and bidding that fire should be brought to burn it, Razis, being about to be taken on every side, fell upon his sword,
42
choosing rather to die manfully than to come into the hands of the wicked to be abused otherwise than befitted his noble birth.
43
But missing his stroke through haste, the multitude also rushing within the doors, he ran boldly up to the wall and cast himself down manfully among the thickest of them.
44
But they quickly drawing back and a space being made, he fell down into the midst of the void place.
45
Nevertheless, while there was yet breath within him, being inflamed with anger, he rose up; and though his blood gushed out like spouts of water and his wounds were grievous, yet he ran through the midst of the throng. And standing upon a steep rock,
46
as his blood was now quite gone, he plucked out his bowels and, taking them in both his hands, he cast them upon the throng; and calling upon the Lord of life and spirit to restore him those again, Razis thus died.