15
When you and your sons had been arrested and you were watching Eleazar being tortured, you began to say to your children in the Hebrew language:
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"My sons, you have been summoned to an honorable contest, in which you will give evidence that will prove your nation's worth. Compete willingly for the Law of our ancestors.
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It would really be a disgrace if you young men lost your nerve in the face of this torture after an old man endured so much suffering out of respect for God.
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Remember that you have had a place in this world and enjoyed life only because of God.
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Because of this, you owe it to God to put up with any distress for his sake.
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This is why our father Abraham moved quickly to sacrifice Isaac his son, who was supposed to become the father of a nation. Isaac also didn't shrink back when he saw the sword in his father's hand bearing down on him.
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Daniel, that righteous man, was thrown to the lions and Hananiah, Azariah, and Mishael were flung into the blazing furnace and endured it for God.
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So you must show the same faithfulness toward God and not be angry.
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After all, it isn't logical for people who truly know and serve God to not hold out against pain."
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By encouraging them with these words, the mother of the seven brothers persuaded each one of her sons to die rather than disobey God's commandment.
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They knew very well that those who die for God will also live in God's presence, just like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the ancestors of the nation.