5
How, then, can we avoid according to these men mastery of passion through right reasoning, since they drew not back from the pains of fire?
6
For just as by means of towers projecting in front of harbours men break the threatening waves, and thus assure a still course to vessels entering port,
7
so that seven-towered right-reasoning of the young men, securing the harbour of religion, conquered the intermperance of passions.
8
For having arranged a holy choir of piety, they encouraged one another, saying,
9
Brothers, may we die brotherly for the law. Let us imitate the three young men in Assyria who despised the equally afflicting furnace.
The Brenton translation of the Septuagint is in the public domain.