5
but all of them, as though running the course toward immortality, hastened to death by torture.
6
Just as the hands and feet are moved in harmony with the guidance of the mind, so those holy youths, as though moved by an immortal spirit of devotion, agreed to go to death for its sake.
7
O most holy seven, brothers in harmony! For just as the seven days of creation move in choral dance around religion,
8
so these youths, forming a chorus, encircled the sevenfold fear of tortures and dissolved it.
9
Even now, we ourselves shudder as we hear of the tribulations of these young men; they not only saw what was happening, yes, not only heard the direct word of threat, but also bore the sufferings patiently, and in agonies of fire at that.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.