2. When the tyrant was publicly defeated in his first attempt by failing to force an old man to eat polluting food, he was overwhelmed by a violent rage and ordered other Hebrew prisoners to be dragged forward. Anyone who ate the polluting meat would be released, but anyone who refused would be tortured even more severely.
3. After the tyrant had given these instructions, seven brothers together with their mother were brought before him. These young men were handsome, modest, well-born, and charming in every way.
4. The tyrant looked at them as they stood grouped around their mother like a chorus, and was pleased with them. He was struck by their physical appearance and obvious dignified character, and so he smiled at them and invited them to come closer. He said,
5. "Young men, I feel nothing but admiration and favor for each and every one of you, and I have great respect for the size and beauty of your family. Not only would I counsel you not to express the same insanity as that old man who was just tortured, but I would encourage you to obey me now and so enjoy the privileged life I can offer you.
6. I can be generous to those who obey me in the same way as I can punish those who disobey me.
7. Trust me! Abandon your traditional way of life, and I will give you positions in my government.
8. Enjoy your youth by changing your customs and adopting the Greek way of life.
9. However, if you disobey me and make me angry, you will force me to destroy each and every one of you with terrible punishments and tortures.
10. So take pity on yourselves, since I feel sympathy for your youth and handsome appearance even though I am your enemy.
11. Bear in mind that if you disobey, you have nothing to look forward to except to die on these devices of torture!"
12. As he said these things, he gave orders for the instruments to be brought forward in order to frighten them into eating the polluting food.