6
And this mother of seven loved her children more than any other mother. Through seven pregnancies, she planted profound love toward them within herself.
7
She was forced to have sympathy for each one through the multiple pains of giving birth.
8
Yet she ignored her concern for her children's temporary safety because of her respect for God.
9
Not only that, but the character and conduct her sons showed in the way they were ready to obey the Law only increased her profound love toward them.
10
They showed themselves to be just, self-controlled, brave, high-minded, and devoted to each other. Moreover, they showed how much they loved their mother as they obeyed her by staying true to God's commands even to the point of death.
11
Though so many forces were pulling against the mother to feel her children's pain out of her love for them, none of the many tortures they suffered were strong enough to undermine her clear thinking.
12
Rather, the mother urged them individually and all of them together to a death for the sake of their godly way of life.
13
Sacred nature, a love spell cast over parents, devotion to children, tender care, and the unyielding passion that mothers show—how powerful they are!
14
Even though this mother watched her children tortured and burned up one after another, she kept her resolve firm for the sake of their godly way of life.
15
She watched as the fire devoured her children's flesh, their fingers and toes scattered all over the ground, the flesh of their faces torn off like masks down to their chins.
16
How the mother was tested by pains far worse than the labor pains she suffered for them!