1
O reason of the children, tyrant over the emotions! O religion, more desirable to the mother than her children!
2
Two courses were open to this mother, that of religion, and that of preserving her seven sons for a time, as the tyrant had promised.
3
She loved religion more, religion that preserves them for eternal life according to God's promise.
4
In what manner might I express the emotions of parents who love their children? We impress upon the character of a small child a wondrous likeness both of mind and of form. Especially is this true of mothers, who because of their birthpangs have a deeper sympathy toward their offspring than do the fathers.
5
Considering that mothers are the weaker sex and give birth to many, they are more devoted to their children.
6
The mother of the seven boys, more than any other mother, loved her children. In seven pregnancies she had implanted in herself tender love toward them,
7
and because of the many pains she suffered with each of them she had sympathy for them;
8
yet because of the fear of God she disdained the temporary safety of her children.
9
Not only so, but also because of the nobility of her sons and their ready obedience to the law she felt a greater tenderness toward them.