22
Also, divine justice will excuse us for fearing the king when we are under compulsion.
23
Why do we banish ourselves from this most pleasant life and deprive ourselves of this delightful world?
24
Let us not struggle against compulsion nor take hollow pride in being put to the rack.
25
Not even the law itself would arbitrarily slay us for fearing the instruments of torture.
26
Why does such contentiousness excite us and such a fatal stubbornness please us, when we can live in peace if we obey the king?"
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.