1. So if the seven brothers rose above suffering to the point of death, everyone should recognize that godly thinking is supreme over the emotions.
2. If they had shown that they were slaves to their emotions by eating the polluting food, we would have admitted that they were conquered by the emotions.
3. But it didn’t turn out that way at all. Instead, they dominated the emotions through the kind of clear thinking that deserves praise in God’s opinion.
4. We can’t fail to notice the mind’s leadership because they had power over both emotions and pain.
5. How can anyone not recognize the ability of good thinking to govern the emotions in such people as these, since they didn’t turn away from the severe pain of fire?
6. The towers at the entrance of harbors hold back the crashing waves and make a calm place for sailors entering the harbor.
7. In the same way, these youths’ ability to reason correctly was seven towers beating back the storm of the emotions and defending the harbor of their godly way of life.
8. Standing together like a holy chorus of the godly way of life, they encouraged each other, saying,