1 Now this one endured this praiseworthy death. The third was brought along, and exhorted by many to taste and save his life. (WEB) 2 But he cried out and said, “Don’t you know that the father of those who are dead is my father also, and that the same mother bore me, and that I was brought up in the same way? (WEB) 3 I don’t renounce the noble relationship of my kindred. (WEB) 4 Now then, whatever instrument of vengeance you have, apply it to my body, for you aren’t able to touch my soul, even if you want to.” (WEB) 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. (WEB) 6 They dragged around his fingers, his arms, his legs, and his ankles. (WEB) 7 Not being able by any means to strangle him, they tore off his skin, together with the extreme tips of his fingers, and then dragged him to the wheel, (WEB) 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. (WEB) 9 When about to die, he said, (WEB) 10 “We, O accursed tyrant, suffer this for the sake of Divine education and virtue. (WEB) 11 But you, for your impiety and blood shedding, will endure unceasing torments.” (WEB) 12 Thus having died worthily of his kindred, they dragged forward the fourth, saying, (WEB) 13 “Don’t share the madness of your kindred, but respect the king and save yourself.” (WEB) 14 But he said to them, “You don’t have a fire so scorching as to make me play the coward. (WEB) 15 By the blessed death of my kindred, and the eternal punishment of the tyrant, and the glorious life of the pious, I will not repudiate the noble brotherhood. (WEB) 16 Invent, O tyrant, tortures, that you may learn, even through them, that I am the brother of those tormented before.” (WEB) 17 When he had said this, the blood-thirsty, murderous, and unholy Antiochus ordered his tongue to be cut out. (WEB) 18 But he said, “Even if you take away the organ of speech, God still hears the silent. (WEB) 19 Behold, my tongue is extended, cut it off; for in spite of that you won’t silence our reasoning. (WEB) 20 We gladly lose our limbs on behalf of God. (WEB) 21 But God will speedily find you, since you cut off the tongue, the instrument of divine melody.” (WEB)
4 Maccabees 10:1–21
Semantically similar passages
4 Maccabees 9:16–18
16 And when the spearmen said, “Consent to eat, that you may be released from your tortures,” (WEB) 17 he answered, “Not so powerful, O accursed lackeys, is your wheel, as to stifle my reasoning. Cut my limbs, and burn my flesh, and twist my joints. (WEB) 18 For through all my torm… (WEB)
2 Maccabees 6:18–20
18 Eleazar, one of the principal scribes, a man already well advanced in years, and of a noble countenance, was compelled to open his mouth to eat swine’s flesh. (WEB) 19 But he, welcoming death with honor rather than life with defilement, advanced of his own accord to th… (WEB)
4 Maccabees 12:3–5
3 seeing him already encompassed with chains, had him brought nearer, and endeavored to counsel him, saying, (WEB) 4 “You see the end of the madness of your kindred, for they have died in torture through disobedience. You, if disobedient, having been miserably tormented… (WEB)
4 Maccabees 9:21–23
21 Although the framework of his bones was now destroyed, the high-minded and Abrahamic youth didn’t groan. (WEB) 22 But, as though transformed by fire into immortality, he nobly endured the rackings, saying, (WEB) 23 “Imitate me, O kindred. Never desert your station, nor renounce… (WEB)
4 Maccabees 9:8–10
8 For we through this ill-treatment and endurance will gain the rewards of virtue. (WEB) 9 But you, for the wicked and despotic slaughter of us, will, from the Divine vengeance, endure eternal torture by fire.” (WEB) 10 When they had said this, the tyrant was not only exasperated… (WEB)
2 Maccabees 7:28–30
28 I beg you, my child, to lift your eyes to the sky and the earth, and to see all things that are in it, and thus to recognize that God made them not of things that were, and that the race of men in this way comes into being. (WEB) 29 Don’t be afraid of this butcher, but… (WEB)
4 Maccabees 9:31–32
31 For I lighten my suffering by the pleasures which are connected with virtue. (WEB) 32 But you are tortured with threatenings for impiety. You won’t escape, most corrupt tyrant, the vengeance of Divine wrath.” (WEB)
2 Maccabees 6:27–29
27 Therefore, by bravely parting with my life now, I will show myself worthy of my old age, (WEB) 28 and leave behind a noble example to the young to die willingly and nobly a glorious death for the revered and holy laws.” When he had said these words, he went immediately… (WEB)
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