Not long after this, the King sent forth an old Athenian, to compel the Jews to depart from the laws of their fathers, and embrace not the divine Law. For two women were brought, which had circumcised their children. And when they had openly led them about the city, with their babes hanging at their breasts, they threw them down headlong from the wall. And others fled into caves nearby to keep the Sabbath secretly. But they were made known to Philip, and he burned them with fire, because they dared not defend themselves, out of reverence for that great day. But if the unrighteous are not granted a long respite, but are swiftly met with punishment, it is a sign of great mercy. For He does not withdraw His mercy from us forever, and if He disciplines His people with adversities, He does not abandon them.

And to defile the Temple in Jerusalem, and to call it by the name of Olympian Zeus, and that which is in Gerizim, by the name of Zeus the Protector of Strangers, as the dwellers in that place were strangers. But if I should die valiantly, I will have fulfilled the truth of my old age.

So the outburst of evil grew strong and great upon the multitudes. Thus this man died, leaving his death as an example of valor and a memorial of virtue to his entire nation, and especially to the young men.

And the Temple was filled with debauchery and revelry; and the Gentiles copulated with male prostitutes and lay with women in the sacred courts, bringing in things that were unlawful.

The altar also was covered with abominable things, which the Law disallowed.

Neither was it lawful for a man to keep the Sabbath days, or to observe the feasts of his fathers, or to profess himself to be a Jew.

And monthly, they were forcibly led forth to sacrifice; and when the feast of Dionysus came, they were compelled to go in procession to honor him, having wreaths of ivy on their heads.

Moreover, there went out a decree to the neighboring Greek cities, at the instigation of the Ptolemies, that they should compel the Jews to do the same, and to sacrifice.

And whosoever would not conform to the Greek customs, should be put to death. Then, therefore, they knew great affliction.

Now I beseech those that read this book, that they be not discouraged for these afflictions, but think rather that these punishments are not for destruction, but for the chastening of our nation.

For the Lord does not wait patiently with our punishment until the measure of our sins be full, as He does with other nations.

But He dealt with us thus, lest our sins should come to their fullness, and He should take vengeance on us at the last.

We say these things by way of remembrance, and now we return to the continuation of the narrative with a brief account.

There was an old man named Eleazar, one of the principal scribes, of a most comely countenance, who was compelled to open his mouth and eat swine's flesh.

But he chose rather to die gloriously, than to live abominably, and went willingly to the torment.

And he spat out the swine's flesh from his mouth, and then stepped forward, as it became one who courageously gives up what is unlawful to partake of, even for the desire of life.

And they that were appointed to preside at that wicked sacrifice, because of their old acquaintance with the man, took him aside, and earnestly besought him to eat of the wholesome meats, which he himself prepared, and pretended that he did eat of the flesh of the sacrifices commanded by the king.

That by so doing he might be delivered from death, and for his old friendship with them, find favor.

But he resolved upon a noble purpose, worthy of his age and the dignity of his old age, and the honorable gray hairs which he had attained to, and his excellent life from his youth up, and his observance of the holy, divine Law; and so he answered without delay, saying: Rather I will go directly to Hades.

For it becomes not our age to dissemble; lest many young persons, thinking that Eleazar, being ninety years old, is gone over to the ways of the strangers,

And so through my hypocrisy and for a brief and perishable life, they might be led astray by me; and I should bring pollution and shame upon my old age.

For though for the present time I should be delivered from the punishment of men, yet should I not escape the hand of the Almighty, neither alive nor dead.

And so I shall leave a courageous example for the young men, to receive death valiantly and courageously for the sake of the glorious and holy Law. And when he had spoken these words, he went straightway to the torture of scourging and beating.

Those who had shown him compassion earlier turned to cruelty, as they supposed that his speech came from pride.

And when he was at the point to die with the stripes, he groaned and said, The Lord, who has holy knowledge, knows that whereas I might have been delivered from death, I endure grievous pains in my body by being beaten, but in my soul, I endure these things willingly for His fear.