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but, as though having a mind like adamant and giving rebirth for immortality to the whole number of her sons, she implored them and urged them on to death for the sake of religion.
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O mother, soldier of God in the cause of religion, elder and woman! By steadfastness you have conquered even a tyrant, and in word and deed you have proved more powerful than a man.
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For when you and your sons were arrested together, you stood and watched Eleazar being tortured, and said to your sons in the Hebrew language,
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"My sons, noble is the contest to which you are called to bear witness for the nation. Fight zealously for our ancestral law.
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For it would be shameful if, while an aged man endures such agonies for the sake of religion, you young men were to be terrified by tortures.
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Remember that it is through God that you have had a share in the world and have enjoyed life,
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and therefore you ought to endure any suffering for the sake of God.
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For his sake also our father Abraham was zealous to sacrifice his son Isaac, the ancestor of our nation; and when Isaac saw his father's hand wielding a sword and descending upon him, he did not cower.
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And Daniel the righteous was thrown to the lions, and Hananiah, Azariah, and Mishael were hurled into the fiery furnace and endured it for the sake of God.
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You too must have the same faith in God and not be grieved.
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It is unreasonable for people who have religious knowledge not to withstand pain."