World English Bible

4 Maccabees 10:3-16 World English Bible (WEB)

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.

12. And thus having died worthily of his brethren, they dragged forward the fourth, saying,

13. Do not you share the madness of your brethren: but give regard to the king, and save yourself.

14. But he said to them, You have not a fire so scorching as to make me play the coward.

15. By the blessed death of my brethren, and the eternal punishment of the tyrant, and the glorious life of the pious, I will not repudiate the noble brotherhood.

16. Invent, O tyrant, tortures; that you may learn, even through them, that I am the brother of those tormented before.