25
Since the young man would not listen to him at all, the king called the mother to him and urged her to advise the youth to save himself.
26
After much urging on his part, she undertook to persuade her son.
27
But, leaning close to him, she spoke in their native tongue as follows, deriding the cruel tyrant: "My son, have pity on me. I carried you nine months in my womb, and nursed you for three years, and have reared you and brought you up to this point in your life, and have taken care of you.
28
I beseech you, my child, to look at the heaven and the earth and see everything that is in them, and recognize that God did not make them out of things that existed. Thus also mankind comes into being.
29
Do not fear this butcher, but prove worthy of your brothers. Accept death, so that in God's mercy I may get you back again with your brothers."
30
While she was still speaking, the young man said, "What are you waiting for? I will not obey the king's command, but I obey the command of the law that was given to our fathers through Moses.
31
But you, who have contrived all sorts of evil against the Hebrews, will certainly not escape the hands of God.
32
For we are suffering because of our own sins.
33
And if our living Lord is angry for a little while, to rebuke and discipline us, he will again be reconciled with his own servants.
34
But you, unholy wretch, you most defiled of all men, do not be elated in vain and puffed up by uncertain hopes, when you raise your hand against the children of heaven.
35
You have not yet escaped the judgment of the almighty, all-seeing God.