7
After the first brother had died in this way, they brought forward the second for their sport. They tore off the skin of his head with the hair, and asked him, "Will you eat rather than have your body punished limb by limb?"
8
He replied in the language of his ancestors and said to them, "No." Therefore he in turn underwent tortures as the first brother had done.
9
And when he was at his last breath, he said, "You accursed wretch, you dismiss us from this present life, but the King of the universe will raise us up to an everlasting renewal of life, because we have died for his laws."
10
After him, the third was the victim of their sport. When it was demanded, he quickly put out his tongue and courageously stretched forth his hands,
11
and said nobly, "I got these from Heaven, and because of his laws I disdain them, and from him I hope to get them back again."
12
As a result the king himself and those with him were astonished at the young man's spirit, for he regarded his sufferings as nothing.
13
After he too had died, they maltreated and tortured the fourth in the same way.
14
When he was near death, he said, "One cannot but choose to die at the hands of mortals and to cherish the hope God gives of being raised again by him. But for you there will be no resurrection to life!"
15
Next they brought forward the fifth and maltreated him.
16
But he looked at the king, and said, "Because you have authority among mortals, though you also are mortal, you do what you please. But do not think that God has forsaken our people.
17
Keep on, and see how his mighty power will torture you and your descendants!"