16
And when the guards said, "Agree to eat so that you may be released from the tortures,"
17
he replied, "You abominable lackeys, your wheel is not so powerful as to strangle my reason. Cut my limbs, burn my flesh, and twist my joints.
18
Through all these tortures I will convince you that sons of the Hebrews alone are invincible where virtue is concerned."
19
While he was saying these things, they spread fire under him, and while fanning the flames they tightened the wheel further.
20
The wheel was completely smeared with blood, and the heap of coals was being quenched by the drippings of gore, and pieces of flesh were falling off the axles of the machine.
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.