20 But above all, the mother was marvellous and worthy of honourable memory; for when she watched seven sons perishing within the space of one day, she bore the sight with a good courage because of her hope in the master. 21 She exhorted each one of them in the language of their fathers, filled with a noble spirit and stirring up her woman’s thoughts with manly courage, saying to them, 22 “I don’t know how you came into my womb. It wasn’t I who gave you your spirit[fn] and your life. It wasn’t I who brought into order the first elements of each one of you. 23 Therefore the Creator of the world, who shaped the first origin of man and devised the first origin of all things, in mercy gives back to you again both your spirit[fn] and your life, as you now treat yourselves with contempt for his laws’ sake.”

24 But Antiokos (Antiochus), thinking himself to be despised, and suspecting the reproachful voice, while the youngest was yet alive didn’t only make his appeal to him by words, but also at the same time promised with oaths that he would enrich him and[fn] raise him to high honour if he would turn from the ways of his ancestors, and that he would take him for his friend[fn] and entrust him with public affairs. 25 But when the young man would in no way listen, the king called to him his mother, and urged her to advise the youth to save himself. 26 When he had urged her with many words, she undertook to persuade her son. 27 But bending towards him, laughing the cruel tyrant to scorn, she spoke this in the language of her fathers: “My son, have pity upon me who carried you nine months in my womb, and nursed you three years, and nourished and brought you up to this age, and sustained you. 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 recognise that God made them not of things that were, and that the race of men in this way comes into being. 29 Don’t be afraid of this butcher, but, proving yourself worthy of your brothers, accept your death, that in God’s mercy I may receive you again with your brothers.”

30 But before she had finished speaking, the young man said, “What are you all waiting for? I don’t obey the commandment of the king, but I listen to the commandment of the law that was given to our fathers through Mosheh (Moses). 31 But you, who have devised all kinds of evil against the Ivrim (Hebrews), will in no way escape God’s hands. 32 Because we are suffering because of our own sins. 33 If for rebuke and chastening, our living master has been angered a little while, yet he will again be reconciled with his own servants. 34 But you, Oh unholy man and of all most vile, don’t be vainly lifted up in your wild pride with uncertain hopes, raising your hand against the heavenly children. 35 Because you have not yet escaped the judgement of the Almighty God who sees all things. 36 Because these our brothers, having endured a short pain that brings everlasting life,[fn] have now died under God’s covenant.[fn] But you, through God’s judgement, will receive in just measure the penalties of your arrogance. 37 But I, as my brothers, give up both body and soul for the laws of our fathers, calling upon God that he may speedily become gracious[fn] to the nation, and that you, amidst trials and deadly diseases, may confess that he alone is God, 38 and that in me and my brothers you may bring to an end[fn] the wrath of the Almighty which has been justly brought upon our whole race.”

39 But the king, falling into a rage, handled him worse than all the rest, being exasperated at his mocking. 40 So he also died pure, putting his whole trust in the master.

41 Last of all, after her sons, the mother died.

42 Let it then suffice to have said thus much concerning the sacrificial feasts and the extreme tortures.