15
And when they had brought the fifth, they tormented him. But he looking upon the king,
16
Said: Whereas thou hast power among men, though thou art corruptible, thou dost what thou wilt: but think not that our nation is forsaken by God.
17
But stay patiently a while, and thou shalt see his great power, in what manner he will torment thee and thy seed.
18
After him they brought the sixth, and he being ready to die, spoke thus: Be not deceived without cause: for we suffer these things for ourselves, having sinned against our God, and things worthy of admiration are done to us:
19
But do not think that thou s escape unpunished, for that thou attempted to fight against God.
20
Now the mother was to be ad above measure, and worthy to be remembered by good men, who beheld seven sons slain in the space of one day, and bore it with a good courage, for the hope that she had in God:
21
And she bravely exhorted every o of them in her own language, being filled with wisdom: and joining a man's heart to a woman's thought,
22
She said to them: I know not how you were formed in my womb: for I neither gave you breath, nor soul, nor life, neither did I frame the limbs of every one of you.
23
But the Creator of the world, that formed the nativity of man, and that found out the origin of all, he will re- store to you again in his mercy, both breath and life, as now you despise your- selves for the sake of his laws.
24
Now Antiochus, thinking himself despised, and withal despising the voice of the upbraider, when the youngest was yet alive, did not only exhort him by words, but also assured him with an oath, that he would make him a rich and a happy man, and, if he would turn from the laws of his fathers, would take him for a friend, and furnish him with things necessary.
25
But when the young man was not moved with these things, the king called the mother, and counselled her to deal with the young man to save his life.