1. When the fourth brother had died from cruel torture, the fifth rushed forward and said,
2. "I’m not about to refuse to be tortured for the sake of moral character, you tyrant!
3. I’ve come forward of my own free will so that by killing me, you will receive even more severe punishment at the hands of God’s justice for more crimes!
4. Enemy of moral character! Enemy of the human race! For what crime are you destroying us in this way?
5. For honoring the creator of all things and living according to his moral Law?
6. Such things deserve honor, not torture!"
9. While he was still speaking, the guards tied him up and dragged him to the catapult.
10. They forced him down onto his knees, bound him to the machine, and placed iron clamps on his thighs. They began to work the wheel, drawing him backward around a wedge until he was curled back all the way like a scorpion. With all his bones pulled out of joint,
11. gasping for air and racked by pain in his body,
12. he said: "Tyrant, you are doing us a huge favor without intending to, because you are giving us the chance to show our firm commitment to the Law through this honorable suffering."
13. After he had died, the sixth brother, still just a boy, was brought forward. The tyrant asked him if he was willing to eat pork and so be set free.
14. He replied, "I may be younger than my brothers in age, but I’m their equal in understanding.
15. We were born and raised to live by these principles, so we should die together for their sake.