18
Eleazar, one of the scribes in high position, a man now advanced in age and of noble presence, was being forced to open his mouth to eat swine's flesh.
16
Therefore he never withdraws his mercy from us. Though he disciplines us with calamities, he does not forsake his own people.
17
Let what we have said serve as a reminder; we must go on briefly with the story.
18
Eleazar, one of the scribes in high position, a man now advanced in age and of noble presence, was being forced to open his mouth to eat swine's flesh.
19
But he, welcoming death with honor rather than life with pollution, went up to the the rack of his own accord, spitting out the flesh,
20
as men ought to go who have the courage to refuse things that it is not right to taste, even for the natural love of life.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.