22
How great and how many torments the mother then suffered as her sons were tortured on the wheel and with the hot irons!
23
But devout reason, giving her heart a man's courage in the very midst of her emotions, strengthened her to disregard her temporal love for her children.
24
Although she witnessed the destruction of seven children and the ingenious and various rackings, this noble mother disregarded all these because of faith in God.
25
For as in the council chamber of her own soul she saw mighty advocates -- nature, family, parental love, and the rackings of her children --
26
this mother held two ballots, one bearing death and the other deliverance for her children.
27
She did not approve the deliverance which would preserve the seven sons for a short time,
28
but as the daughter of God-fearing Abraham she remembered his fortitude.
29
O mother of the nation, vindicator of the law and champion of religion, who carried away the prize of the contest in your heart!
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O more noble than males in steadfastness, and more manly than men in endurance!
31
Just as Noah's ark, carrying the world in the universal flood, stoutly endured the waves,
32
so you, O guardian of the law, overwhelmed from every side by the flood of your emotions and the violent winds, the torture of your sons, endured nobly and withstood the wintry storms that assail religion.