18. To change our ways now would be the truly thoughtless thing to do. We have lived in line with God’s truth well into old age and earned a reputation for keeping the Law.
19. We would become an example of ungodly behavior for the younger people, and pave the way for them to eat forbidden food.
20. It would be a disgrace for us to become a joke for our lack of courage, just to survive a little longer.
21. This tyrant would look down on us as cowards because we weren’t willing to defend the divine Law to the point of death.
22. For all these reasons, children of Abraham, die well for the sake of showing God proper respect!
23. As for you, soldiers of the tyrant, what are you waiting for?"
24. When the king’s advisors saw that he remained confident in the face of torture and didn’t appreciate their compassion, the guards carried him to the fire.
25. They burned his body with diabolical devices, and then they threw him on the ground and poured disgusting liquids into his nostrils.
26. Eleazar was now burned down to his bones and on the edge of death. He raised his eyes toward God and said,
27. "God, you know that I could have saved myself; instead, I am being burned and tortured to death for the sake of your Law.
28. Have mercy on your people. Make our punishment sufficient for their sake.
29. Purify them with my blood, and take my life in exchange for theirs."
30. When he said this, the holy man died with dignity from the torture. By thinking clearly, he resisted even while facing the pains of death for the sake of the Law.
31. So without question, godly thinking rules over the emotions.