1Not long after this, the king sent an Athenian6.1 Some authorities readAntioch'ian senator6.1 Or Geron an athenian to compel the Jews to forsake the laws of their fathers and cease to live by the laws of God, 2and also to pollute the temple in Jerusalem and call it the temple of Olympian Zeus, and to call the one in Ger'izim the temple of Zeus the Friend of Strangers, as did the people who dwelt in that place.

3Harsh and utterly grievous was the onslaught of evil. 4For the temple was filled with debauchery and revelling by the Gentiles, who dallied with harlots and had intercourse with women within the sacred precincts, and besides brought in things for sacrifice that were unfit. 5The altar was covered with abominable offerings which were forbidden by the laws. 6A man could neither keep the sabbath, nor observe the feasts of his fathers, nor so much as confess himself to be a Jew.

7On the monthly celebration of the king's birthday, the Jews6.7 Gk they were taken, under bitter constraint, to partake of the sacrifices; and when the feast of Diony'sus came, they were compelled to walk in the procession in honour of Diony'sus, wearing wreaths of ivy. 8At the suggestion of Ptol'emy a decree was issued to the neighbouring Greek cities, that they should adopt the same policy toward the Jews and make them partake of the sacrifices, 9and should slay those who did not choose to change over to Greek customs. One could see, therefore, the misery that had come upon them. 10For example, two women were brought in for having circumcised their children. These women they publicly paraded about the city, with their babies hung at their breasts, then hurled them down headlong from the wall. 11Others who had assembled in the caves near by, to observe the seventh day secretly, were betrayed to Philip and were all burned together, because their piety kept them from defending themselves, in view of their regard for that most holy day.

12Now I urge those who read this book not to be depressed by such calamities, but to recognise that these punishments were designed not to destroy but to discipline our people. 13In fact, not to let the impious alone for long, but to punish them immediately, is a sign of great kindness. 14For in the case of the other nations the Lord waits patiently to punish them until they have reached the full measure of their sins; but he does not deal in this way with us, 15in order that he may not take vengeance on us afterward when our sins have reached their height. 16Therefore he never withdraws his mercy from us. Though he disciplines us with calamities, he does not forsake his own people. 17Let what we have said serve as a reminder; we must go on briefly with the story.

18Elea'zar, one of the scribes in high position, a man now advanced in age and of noble presence, was being forced to open his mouth to eat swine's flesh. 19But he, welcoming death with honour rather than life with pollution, went up to the rack of his own accord, spitting out the flesh, 20as men ought to go who have the courage to refuse things that it is not right to taste, even for the natural love of live.

21Those who were in charge of that unlawful sacrifice took the man aside, because of their long acquaintance with him, and privately urged him to bring meat of his own providing, proper for him to use, and pretend that he was eating the flesh of the sacrificial meal which had been commanded by the king, 22so that by doing this he might be saved from death, and be treated kindly on account of his old friendship with them. 23But making a high resolve, worthy of his years and the dignity of his old age and the grey hairs which he had reached with distinction and his excellent life even from childhood, and moreover according to the holy Godgiven law, he declared himself quickly, telling them to send him to Hades.

24“Such pretence is not worthy of our time of life,” he said, “lest many of the young should suppose that Elea'zar in his ninetieth year has gone over to an alien religion, 25and through my pretence for the sake of living a brief moment longer, they should be led astray because of me, while I defile and disgrace my old age. 26For even if for the present I should avoid the punishment of men, yet whether I live or die I shall not escape the hands of the Almighty. 27Therefore, by manfully giving up my life now, I will show myself worthy of my old age 28and leave to the young a noble example of how to die a good death willingly and nobly for the revered and holy laws.”

When he had said this, he went6.28 Other authorities read was dragged at once to the rack. 29And those who a little before had acted toward him with good will now changed to ill will, because the words he had uttered were in their opinion sheer madness.6.29 The Greek text of this verse is uncertain 30When he was about to die under the blows, he groaned aloud and said: “It is clear to the Lord in his holy knowledge that, though I might have been saved from death, I am enduring terrible sufferings in my body under this beating, but in my soul I am glad to suffer these things because I fear him.”

31So in this way he died, leaving in his death an example of nobility and a memorial of courage, not only to the young but to the great body of his nation.