The fifth brother’s torture and response
1 When the fourth brother had died from cruel torture, the fifth rushed forward and said,
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"I'm not about to refuse to be tortured for the sake of moral character, you tyrant!
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I've come forward of my own free will so that by killing me, you will receive even more severe punishment at the hands of God's justice for more crimes!
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Enemy of moral character! Enemy of the human race! For what crime are you destroying us in this way?
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For honoring the creator of all things and living according to his moral Law?
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Such things deserve honor, not torture!"
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While he was still speaking, the guards tied him up and dragged him to the catapult.
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They forced him down onto his knees, bound him to the machine, and placed iron clamps on his thighs. They began to work the wheel, drawing him backward around a wedge until he was curled back all the way like a scorpion. With all his bones pulled out of joint,
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gasping for air and racked by pain in his body,
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he said: "Tyrant, you are doing us a huge favor without intending to, because you are giving us the chance to show our firm commitment to the Law through this honorable suffering."