11. Others, who had assembled in nearby caves to observe the seventh day in secret, were betrayed to Philip and all burned to death. In their respect for the holiness of that day, they refrained from defending themselves.
12. Now I urge those who read this book not to be disheartened by these misfortunes, but to consider that these punishments were meant not for the ruin but for the correction of our nation.
13. It is, in fact, a sign of great kindness to punish the impious promptly instead of letting them go for long.
14. Thus, in dealing with other nations, the Sovereign Lord patiently waits until they reach the full measure of their sins before punishing them; but with us he has decided to deal differently,
15. in order that he may not have to punish us later, when our sins have reached their fullness.
16. Therefore he never withdraws his mercy from us. Although he disciplines us with misfortunes, he does not abandon his own people.
17. Let these words suffice for recalling this truth. Without further ado we must go on with our story.
18. Eleazar, one of the foremost scribes, a man advanced in age and of noble appearance, was being forced to open his mouth to eat pork.
19. But preferring a glorious death to a life of defilement, he went forward of his own accord to the instrument of torture,
20. spitting out the meat as they should do who have the courage to reject food unlawful to taste even for love of life.
21. Those in charge of that unlawful sacrifice took the man aside, because of their long acquaintance with him, and privately urged him to bring his own provisions that he could legitimately eat, and only to pretend to eat the sacrificial meat prescribed by the king.
22. Thus he would escape death, and be treated kindly because of his old friendship with them.