1
It came to pass also that seven brethren with their mother were taken, and compelled by the king against the law to taste swine's flesh, and were tormented with scourges and whips.
2
But one of them, who spoke first, said thus: What wouldest thou ask or learn from us? We are ready to die, rather than to transgress the laws of our fathers.
3
Then the king, being in a rage, commanded pans and caldrons to be made hot,
4
which forthwith being heated, he commanded to cut out the tongue of him that spoke first, and to cut off the utmost parts of his body, the rest of his brethren and his mother looking on.
5
Now when he was thus maimed in all his members, he commanded him, being yet alive, to be brought to the fire and to be fried in the pan. And as the vapor of the pan was for a good space dispersed, they exhorted one another with the mother to die manfully, saying thus,
6
The Lord God looketh upon us, and in truth hath comfort in us, as Moses, in his song which witnessed to their faces, declared, saying, `And He shall be comforted in His servants.'
7
So when the first was dead in this manner, they brought the second to make him a mockingstock; and when they had pulled off the skin of his head with the hair, they asked him, Wilt thou eat before thou be punished throughout every member of thy body?
8
But he answered in his own language, and said, No. Therefore he also received the next torment in order, as the former did.
9
And when he was at the last gasp, he said, Thou, like a fury, takest us out of this present life, but the King of the world shall raise us up, who have died for His laws, unto everlasting life.
10
After him was the third made a mockingstock; and when he was required, he put out his tongue, and that very soon, holding forth his hands manfully,
11
and said courageously, These I had from heaven, and for His laws I despise them; and from Him I hope to receive them again,