18
Eleazar, one of the principal scribes, an aged man and of a well-favored countenance, was constrained to open his mouth and to eat swine's flesh.
19
But he, choosing rather to die gloriously than to live stained with such an abomination, spat it forth and came of his own accord to the torment,
20
as it behooved those to come who are resolute to stand up against such things that are not lawful, for love of life, to be tasted.
21
But those who had the charge of that wicked feast, because of the old acquaintance they had with the man, taking him aside, besought him to bring flesh from his own provision, such as was lawful for him to use, and make as if he ate of the flesh taken from the sacrifice commanded by the king,
22
that in so doing he might be delivered from death and, because of the old friendship, find favor with them.
Third Millennium Bible (TMB), New Authorized Version, Copyright 1998 by Deuel Enterprises, Inc., Gary, SD 57237. All rights reserved.