4 Maccabees 12 — GMV

12 Verse 1 When he, too, had undergone blessed martyrdom, and died in the caldron into which he had been thrown, the seventh, the youngest of all, came forward: ^{Verse 2} whom the tyrant pitying, though he had been dreadfully reproached by his brethren, ^{Verse 3} seeing him already encompassed with chains, had him brought nearer, and endeavored to counsel him, saying, ^{Verse 4} Thou seest the end of the madness of thy brethren: for they have died in torture through disobedience; and you, if disobedient, having been miserably tormented, will yourself perish prematurely. ^{Verse 5} But if you obey, you shall be my friend, and have a charge over the affairs of the kingdom. ^{Verse 6} And having thus exhorted him, he sent for the mother of the boy; that, by condoling with her for the loss of so many sons, he might incline her, through the hope of safety, to render the survivor obedient. ^{Verse 7} And he, after his mother had urged him on in the Hebrew tongue (as we shall soon relate), says, ^{Verse 8} Release me, that I may speak to the king and all his friends. ^{Verse 9} And they, rejoicing exceedingly at the promise of the youth, quickly let him go. ^{Verse 10} And he, running up to the pans, said, ^{Verse 11} Impious tyrant, and most blasphemous man, wert thou not ashamed, having received prosperity and a kingdom from God, to slay His servants, and to rack the doers of godliness? ^{Verse 12} Wherefore the divine vengeance is reserving thee for eternal fire and torments, which shall cling to thee for all time. ^{Verse 13} Wert thou not ashamed, man as thou art, yet most savage, to cut out the tongues of men of like feeling and origin, and having thus abused to torture them? ^{Verse 14} But they, bravely dying, fulfilled their religion toward God. ^{Verse 15} But thou shalt groan according to thy deserts for having slain without cause the champions of virtue. ^{Verse 16} Wherefore, he continued, I myself, being about to die, ^{Verse 17} will not forsake the testimony of my brethren. ^{Verse 18} And I call upon the God of my fathers to be merciful to my race. ^{Verse 19} But thee, both living and dead, he will punish. ^{Verse 20} Thus having prayed, he hurled himself into the pans; and so expired.