Common English Bible

4 Maccabees 3:9-15 Common English Bible (CEB)

9. and all the others were eating dinner.

10. However, the king was extremely thirsty. Even though there were plenty of water springs in the camp, he couldn’t quench his thirst with them.

11. Instead, he was obsessed with an unreasonable desire for water from the enemy’s camp.

12. His guards began to complain bitterly about the king’s desire. Then two strong young soldiers, embarrassed because of the king’s craving, put on their armor, grabbed a pitcher, and went behind the enemy lines.

13. They sneaked past the guards at the gate and began searching through the whole camp.

14. They found the spring and courageously brought the king a drink.

15. But even though he was on fire with thirst, David understood the terrible danger that this drink posed to his soul. It had equal value to the blood of the men who risked their lives to fetch it.