The sixth brother’s torture and response
13 After he had died, the sixth brother, still just a boy, was brought forward. The tyrant asked him if he was willing to eat pork and so be set free.
14
He replied, "I may be younger than my brothers in age, but I'm their equal in understanding.
15
We were born and raised to live by these principles, so we should die together for their sake.
16
If you think torturing me for not eating polluting food is the right thing to do, then torture away!"
17
When he said this, they marched him up to the wheel.
18
They stretched him tight until his back broke, and they roasted him from underneath with fire.
19
They ran sharp spits, which they had heated in the fire, through his ribs and burned through his guts.
20
In the middle of this torture he said, "This contest is suitable for our godly way of life. So many of us brothers have been called to an arena of suffering because we respect God and we remain undefeated! We haven't been defeated in this contest!
21
Godly knowledge can never be beaten, you tyrant.
22
I will die with my brothers also because I'm fully armed with moral character.
23
I myself will call for an avenger to come against you. You invent new ways to torture people, and you are an enemy of those who are truly devout!
24
The six of us boys have brought your tyranny to an end.
25
You haven't been able to make us change our minds or to force us to eat polluting food. Isn't this a sign that your rule of tyranny is over?