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Chapter 7

 

7:1
It came to pass also, that seven brethren with their mother were taken, and
compelled by the king against the law to taste swine’s flesh, and were
tormented with scourges and whips.

 

2
But one of them that spake first said thus, What wouldest thou ask or learn of
us? we are ready to die, rather than to transgress the laws of our fathers.

 

3
Then the king, being in a rage, commanded pans and caldrons to be made hot: 4
Which forthwith being heated, he commanded to cut out the tongue of him that
spake first, and to cut off the utmost parts of his body, the rest of his
brethren and his mother looking on.

 

5
Now when he was thus maimed in all his members, he commanded him being yet
alive to be brought to the fire, and to be fried in the pan: and as the vapour
of the pan was for a good space dispersed, they exhorted one another with the
mother to die manfully, saying thus, 6 The Lord God looketh upon us, and in
truth hath comfort in us, as Moses in his song, which witnessed to their faces,
declared, saying, And he shall be comforted in his servants.

 

7
So when the first was dead after this number, they brought the second to make
him a mocking stock: and when they had pulled off the skin of his head with the
hair, they asked him, Wilt thou eat, before thou be punished throughout every
member of thy body? 8 But he answered in his own language, and said, No.
Wherefore he also received the next torment in order, as the former did. 9 And
when he was at the last gasp, he said, Thou like a fury takest us out of this
present life, but the King of the world shall raise us up, who have died for
his laws, unto everlasting life.

 

10
After him was the third made a mocking stock: and when he was required, he put
out his tongue, and that right soon, holding forth his hands manfully. 11 And
said courageously, These I had from heaven; and for his laws I despise them;
and from him I hope to receive them again. 12 Insomuch that the king, and they
that were with him, marvelled at the young man’s courage, for that he nothing
regarded the pains.

 

13
Now when this man was dead also, they tormented and mangled the fourth in like
manner. 14 So when he was ready to die he said thus, It is good, being put to
death by men, to look for hope from God to be raised up again by him: as for
thee, thou shalt have no resurrection to life.

 

15
Afterward they brought the fifth also, and mangled him. 16 Then looked he unto
the king, and said, Thou hast power over men, thou art corruptible, thou doest
what thou wilt; yet think not that our nation is forsaken of God; 17 But abide
a while, and behold his great power, how he will torment thee and thy seed.

 

18
After him also they brought the sixth, who being ready to die said, Be not
deceived without cause: for we suffer these things for ourselves, having sinned
against our God: therefore marvellous things are done unto us. 19 But think not
thou, that takest in hand to strive against God, that thou shalt escape
unpunished.

 

20
But the mother was marvellous above all, and worthy of honourable memory: for
when she saw her seven sons slain within the space of one day, she bare it with
a good courage, because of the hope that she had in the Lord. 21 Yea, she
exhorted every one of them in her own language, filled with courageous spirits;
and stirring up her womanish thoughts with a manly stomach, she said unto them,
22 I cannot tell how ye came into my womb: for I neither gave you breath nor
life, neither was it I that formed the members of every one of you; 23 But
doubtless the Creator of the world, who formed the generation of man, and found
out the beginning of all things, will also of his own mercy give you breath and
life again, as ye now regard not your own selves for his laws’ sake.

 

24
Now Antiochus, thinking himself despised, and suspecting it to be a reproachful
speech, whilst the youngest was yet alive, did not only exhort him by words,
but also assured him with oaths, that he would make him both a rich and a happy
man, if he would turn from the laws of his fathers; and that also he would take
him for his friend, and trust him with affairs.

 

25
But when the young man would in no case hearken unto him, the king called his
mother, and exhorted her that she would counsel the young man to save his life.
26 And when he had exhorted her with many words, she promised him that she
would counsel her son.

 

27
But she bowing herself toward him, laughing the cruel tyrant to scorn, spake in
her country language on this manner; O my son, have pity upon me that bare thee
nine months in my womb, and gave thee such three years, and nourished thee, and
brought thee up unto this age, and endured the troubles of education. 28 I
beseech thee, my son, look upon the heaven and the earth, and all that is
therein, and consider that God made them of things that were not; and so was
mankind made likewise. 29 Fear not this tormentor, but, being worthy of thy
brethren, take thy death that I may receive thee again in mercy with thy
brethren.

 

30
Whiles she was yet speaking these words, the young man said, Whom wait ye for?
I will not obey the king’s commandment: but I will obey the commandment of the
law that was given unto our fathers by Moses. 31 And thou, that hast been the
author of all mischief against the Hebrews, shalt not escape the hands of God.

 

32
For we suffer because of our sins. 33 And though the living Lord be angry with
us a little while for our chastening and correction, yet shall he be at one
again with his servants. 34 But thou, O godless man, and of all other most
wicked, be not lifted up without a cause, nor puffed up with uncertain hopes,
lifting up thy hand against the servants of God: 35 For thou hast not yet
escaped the judgment of Almighty God, who seeth all things.

 

36
For our brethrej, who now have suffered a short pain, are dead under God’s
covenant of everlasting life: but thou, through the judgment of God, shalt
receive just punishment for thy pride. 37 But I, as my brethren, offer up my
body and life for the laws of our fathers, beseeching God that he would
speedily be merciful unto our nation; and that thou by torments and plagues
mayest confess, that he alone is God; 38 And that in me and my brethren the
wrath of the Almighty, which is justly brought upon our nation, may cease.

 

39
Than the king’ being in a rage, handed him worse than all the rest, and took it
grievously that he was mocked. 40 So this man died undefiled, and put his whole
trust in the Lord.

 

41
Last of all after the sons the mother died.

 

42
Let this be enough now to have spoken concerning the idolatrous feasts, and the
extreme tortures.