15. Doth he also deal with us, so as to suffer our sins to come to their height, and then take vengeance on us.
16. And therefore he never withdraweth his mercy from us: but though he chastise his people with adversity, he forsaketh them not.
17. But let this suffice in a few words for a warning to the readers. And now we must come to the narration.
18. Eleazar one of the chief of the scribes, a man advanced in years, and of a comely countenance, was pressed to open his mouth to eat swine's flesh.
19. But he, choosing rather a most glorious death than a hateful life, went forward voluntarily to the torment.
20. And considering in what manner he was come to ii;, patiently bearing, he determined not to do any unlawful things for the love of life.
21. But they that stood by, being moved with wicked pity, for the old friendship they had with the man, taking him aside, desired that flesh might be brought, which it was lawful for him to eat, that he might make as if he had eaten, as the king had commanded of the flesh of the sacrifice:
22. That by so doing he might be delivered from death: and for the sake of their old friendship with the man they did him this courtesy.