World English Bible

4 Maccabees 10:1-11 World English Bible (WEB)

1. Now this one, having endured this praiseworthy death, the third was brought along, and exhorted by many to taste and save his life.

2. But he cried out and said, Know you⌃ not, that the father of those who are dead, became the father of me also; and that the same mother bare me; and that I was brought up in the same tenets?

3. I abjure not the noble relationship of my brethren.

4. Now then, whatever instrument of vengeance you⌃ have, apply it to my body, for you⌃ are not able to touch, even if you⌃ wish it, my soul.

5. But they, highly incensed at his boldness of speech, dislocated his hands and feet with racking engines, and wrenching them from their sockets, dismembered him.

6. And they dragged round his fingers, and his arms, and his legs, and his ankles.

7. And not being able by any means to strangle him, they tore off his skin, together with the extreme tips of his fingers, flayed him, and then haled him to the wheel;

8. around which his vertebral joints were loosened, and he saw his own flesh torn to shreds, and streams of blood flowing from his entrails.

9. And when about to die, he said,

10. We, O accursed tyrant, suffer this for the sake of Divine education and virtue.

11. But you, for your impiety and blood shedding, shall endure indissoluble torments.