1. It came to pass also, that seven brethren, together with their mother, were apprehended, and compelled by the king to eat swine' s flesh against the law, for which end they were tormented with whips and scourges.
2. But one of them, who was the eldest, said thus: What wouldst thou ask, or learn of us? we are ready to die rather than to transgress the laws of God, received from our fathers.
3. Then the king being angry commanded fryingpans, and brazen caldrons to be made hot: which forthwith being heated,
4. He commanded to cut out the tongue of him that had spoken first: and the skin of his head being drawn off, to chop off also the extremities of his hands and feet, the rest of his brethren, and his mother, looking on.
5. And when he was now maimed in all parts, he commanded him, being yet alive, to be brought to the Are, and to be fried in the fryingpan: and while he was suffering therein long torments, the rest, together with the mother, exhorted one another to die manfully,
6. Saying: The Lord God will look upon the truth, and will take pleasure in us, as Moses declared in the profession of the canticle: And In his servants he will take pleasure.
7. So when the first was dead after this manner, they brought the next to make him a, mocking stock: and when they had pulled off the skin of his head with the hair, they asked him if he would eat, before he were punished throughout the whole body in every limb.
8. But he answered in his own language, and said: I will not do it. Wherefore Ire also in the next place, received the torments of the first:
9. And when he was at the last gasp, he said thus: Thou indeed, O most wicked man, destroyest us out of this present life: but the King of the world will raise us up, who die for his laws, in the resurrection of eternal life.
10. After him the third was made a mocking stock, and when he was required, he quickly put forth his tongue, and courageously stretched out his hands:
11. And said with confidence: These
12. So that the king, and they that were with him, wondered at the young man's courage, because he esteemed the torments as nothing.
13. And after he was thus dead, they tormented the fourth in the like manner
14. And when he was now ready to die, he spoke thus: It is better, being put to death by men, to look for hope from God, to be raised up again by him: for, as to thee thou shalt have no resurrection unto life.
15. And when they had brought the fifth, they tormented him. But he looking upon the king,
16. Said: Whereas thou hast power among men, though thou art corruptible, thou dost what thou wilt: but think not that our nation is forsaken by God.
17. But stay patiently a while, and thou shalt see his great power, in what manner he will torment thee and thy seed.