17
If we suffer thus, Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob will receive us, and all the fathers will commend us.
18
And as each one of the brethren was haled away, the rest exclaimed, Disgrace us not, O brother, nor falsify those who died before you.
19
Now you are not ignorant of the charm of brotherhood, which the Divine and all wise Providence hath imparted through fathers to children, and hath engendered through the mother's womb.
20
In which these brothers having remained an equal time, and having been formed for the same period, and been increased by the same blood, and having been perfected through the same principle of life,
21
and having been brought forth at equal intervals, and having sucked milk from the same fountains, hence their brotherly souls are reared up lovingly together;
22
and increase the more powerfully by reason of this simultaneous rearing, and by daily intercourse, and by other education, and exercise in the law of God.
23
Brotherly love being thus sympathetically constituted, the seven brethren had a more sympathetic mutual harmony.
24
For being educated in the same law, and practising the same virtues, and reared up in a just course of life, they increased this harmony with each other.
25
For a like ardour for what is right and honourable increased their fellow-feeling towards each other.
26
For it acting along with religion, made their brotherly feeling more desirable to them.
27
And yet, although nature and intercourse and virtuous morals increased their brotherly love those who were left endured to behold their brethren, who were ill-used for their religion, tortured even unto death.