21
Those in charge of the sacrifice had been friends of Eleazar for a long time, and because of this friendship they told him privately to bring meat that was lawful for him to eat. He need only pretend to eat the pork, they said, and in this way he would not be put to death.
23
But Eleazar made a decision worthy of his gray hair and advanced age. All his life he had lived in perfect obedience to God's holy laws, so he replied, "Kill me, here and now.
24
Such deception is not worthy of a man of my years. Many young people would think that I had denied my faith after I was ninety years old.
25
If I pretended to eat this meat, just to live a little while longer, it would bring shame and disgrace on me and lead many young people astray.
26
For the present I might be able to escape what you could do to me, but whether I live or die, I cannot escape Almighty God.
27
If I die bravely now, it will show that I deserved my long life.
28
It will also set a good example of the way young people should be willing and glad to die for our sacred and respected laws." As soon as he said these things, he went off to be tortured,
29
and the very people who had treated him kindly a few minutes before, now turned against him, because they thought he had spoken like a madman.