4 Maccabees 9:2

2 we are obviously putting our forebears to shame unless we should practice ready obedience to the law and to Moses our counselor.

4 Maccabees 9:2 In-Context

1 "Why do you delay, O tyrant? For we are ready to die rather than transgress our ancestral commandments;

2 we are obviously putting our forebears to shame unless we should practice ready obedience to the law and to Moses our counselor.

3 Tyrant and counselor of lawlessness, in your hatred for us do not pity us more than we pity ourselves.

4 For we consider this pity of yours, which insures our safety through transgression of the law, to be more grievous than death itself.

5 You are trying to terrify us by threatening us with death by torture, as though a short time ago you learned nothing from Eleazar.

Footnotes

• [a]. Other ancient authorities read [knowledge]