18 Oh Israeli children, descendants of the seed of Avraham, obey this law and in every way be religious, 2 knowing that religious reasoning is lord of the emotions, and those not only inward but outward.

3 Therefore those people who gave up their bodies to pains for the sake of religion weren’t only admired by men, but were deemed worthy of a divine portion. 4 The nation through them obtained peace, and having renewed the observance of the law in their country, drove the enemy out of the land. 5 The tyrant Antiokos was both punished on earth, and is punished now that he’s dead; for when he was quite unable to compel the Israelis to adopt foreign customs, and to desert the manner of life of their fathers, 6 then, departing from Yerushalem (Jerusalem), he made war against the Persians. 7 The righteous mother of the seven children spoke also as follows to her offspring: “I was a pure virgin, and didn’t go beyond my father’s house, but I took care of the rib from which woman was made. 8 No destroyer of the desert or ravisher of the plain injured me, nor did the destructive, deceitful snake make plunder of my chaste virginity. I remained with my husband during the time of my maturity. 9 When these, my children, arrived at maturity, their father died. He was blessed! Because having strived for a life of fertility in children, he wasn’t grieved with a period of loss of children. 10 He used to teach you, when yet with you, the law and the prophets. 11 He used to read to you about the slaying of Hevel (Abel) by Kayin (Cain), the offering up of Yitshak (Isaac), and the imprisonment of Yosef (Joseph). 12 He used to tell you of the zealous Pinhas, and informed you of Hananyah, Azaryah, and Mishael in the fire. 13 He used to glorify Daniyel, who was in the den of lions, and pronounce him blessed. 14 He used to remind you of the scripture of Yeshayah (Isaiah), which says, “Even if you pass through the fire, it won’t burn you.” 15 He chanted to you David, the hymn writer, who says, “Many are the afflictions of the just.” 16 He declared the proverbs of Shelomoh (Solomon), who says, “He’s a tree of life to all those who do His will.” 17 He used to confirm what Yehezkel (Ezekiel) said: “Will these dry bones live?” 18 Because he didn’t forget the song which Mosheh (Moses) taught, proclaiming, “I’ll kill, and I’ll make alive.” 19 This is our life and the length of our days.

20 Oh that bitter, and yet not bitter, day when the bitter tyrant of the Hellains (Greeks), quenching fire with fire in his cruel cauldrons, brought with boiling rage the seven sons of the daughter of Avraham to the rack, and to all his torments! 21 He pierced the balls of their eyes, and cut out their tongues, and put them to death with varied tortures. 22 Therefore divine retribution pursued and will pursue the pestilent wretch. 23 But the children of Avraham, with their victorious mother, are assembled together to the choir of their father, having received pure and immortal souls from God. 24 To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.