1

GRK Συνέβη δὲ καὶ ἑπτὰ ἀδελφοὺς μετὰ τῆς μητρὸν συλληφθέντας ἀναγκάζεσθαι ὑπὸ τοῦ βασιλέως ἀπὸ τῶν ἀθεμίτων ὑείων κρεῶν ἐφάπτεσθαι, μάστιξι καὶ νευραῖς αἰκιζομένους.

KJV It came to pass also, that seven brethren with their mother were taken, and compelled by the king against the law to taste swine’s flesh, and were tormented with scourges and whips.

2

GRK Εἷς δὲ αὐτῶν γενόμενος προήγορος, οὕτως ἔφη, τί μέλλεις ἐρωτᾷν, καὶ μανθάνειν παρʼ ἡμῶν; ἕτοιμοι γὰρ ἀποθνήσκειν ἐσμὲν ἢ παραβαίνειν τοὺς πατρίους νόμους.

KJV But one of them that spake first said thus, What wouldest thou ask or learn of us? we are ready to die, rather than to transgress the laws of our fathers.

3

GRK Ἔκθυμος δὲ γενόμενος ὁ βασιλεὺς, προσέταξε τήγανα, καὶ λέβητας ἐκπυροῦν.

KJV Then the king, being in a rage, commanded pans and caldrons to be made hot:

4

GRK Τῶν δὲ ἐκπυρωθέντων, παραχρῆμα τὸν γενόμενον αὐτῶν προήγορον προσέταξε γλωσσοτομεῖν, καὶ περισκυθίσαντας ἀκρωτηριάζειν, τῶν λοιπῶν ἀδελφῶν, καὶ τῆς μετρὸς, συνορώντων.

KJV Which forthwith being heated, he commanded to cut out the tongue of him that spake first, and to cut off the utmost parts of his body, the rest of his brethren and his mother looking on.

5

GRK Ἄχρηστον δὲ αὐτὸν τοῖς ὅλοις γενόμενον, ἐκέλευσε τῇ πυρᾷ προσάγειν ἔμπνουν, καὶ τηγανίζειν· τῆς δὲ ἀτμίδος ἐφʼ ἱκανὸν διαδιδούσης τοῦ τηγάνου, ἀλλήλους παρεκάλουν σὺν τῇ μητρὶ γενναίως τελευτᾷν, λέγοντες οὕτως.

KJV Now when he was thus maimed in all his members, he commanded him being yet alive to be brought to the fire, and to be fried in the pan: and as the vapour of the pan was for a good space dispersed, they exhorted one another with the mother to die manfully, saying thus,

6

GRK Ὁ Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς ἐφορᾷ, καὶ ταῖς ἀληθείαις ἐφʼ ἡμῖν παρακαλεῖται, καθάπερ διὰ τῆς κατὰ πρόσωπον ἀντιμαρτυρούσης ᾠδῆς διεσάφησε Μωυσῆς, λέγων, καὶ ἐπὶ τοῖς δούλοις αὐτοῦ παρακληθήσεται.

KJV The Lord God looketh upon us, and in truth hath comfort in us, as Moses in his song, which witnessed to their faces, declared, saying, And he shall be comforted in his servants.

7

GRK Μεταλλάξαντος δὲ τοῦ πρώτου τὸν τρόπον τοῦτον, τὸν δεύτερον ἦγον ἐπὶ τὸν ἐμπαιγμόν· καὶ τὸ τῆς κεφαλῆς δέρμα σὺν ταῖς θριξὶ περισύραντες, ἐπηρώτων, εἰ φάγεσαι πρὸ τοῦ τιμωρηθῆναι τὸ σῶμα κατὰ μέλος;

KJV So when the first was dead after this manner, they brought the second to make him a mocking stock: and when they had pulled off the skin of his head with the hair, they asked him, Wilt thou eat, before thou be punished throughout every member of thy body?

8

GRK Ὁ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς τῇ πατρίῳ φωνῇ εἶπεν, οὐχί· διόπερ καὶ

KJV But he answered in his own language, and said, No. Wherefore he also received the next torment in order, as the former did.

9

GRK οὗτος τὴν ἑξῆς ἔλαβε βάσανον, ὡς ὁ πρῶτος. Ἐν ἐσχάτῇ δὲ πνοῇ γενόμενος, εἶπε, σὺ μὲν ἀλάστωρ ἐκ τοῦ παρόντος ἡμᾶς ζῇν ἀπολύεις, ὁ δὲ τοῦ κόσμου βασιλεὺς ἀποθανόντας ἡμᾶς ὑπὲρ τῶν αὐτοῦ νόμων εἰς αἰώνιον ἀναβίωσιν ζωῆς ἡμᾶς ἀναστήσει.

KJV And when he was at the last gasp, he said, Thou like a fury takest us out of this present life, but the King of the world shall raise us up, who have died for his laws, unto everlasting life.

10

GRK Μετὰ δὲ τοῦτον ὁ τρίτος ἐνεπαίζετο, καὶ τὴν γλῶσσαν αἰτηθεὶς ταχέως προέβαλε, καὶ τὰς χεῖρας εὐθαρσῶς προέτεινε,

KJV After him was the third made a mocking stock: and when he was required, he put out his tongue, and that right soon, holding forth his hands manfully.

11

GRK καὶ γενναίως εἶπεν, ἐξ οὐρανοῦ ταῦτα κέκτημαι, καὶ διὰ τοὺς αὐτοῦ νόμους ὑπερορῶ ταῦτα, καὶ παρʼ αὐτοῦ ταῦτα πάλιν ἐλπίζω κομίσασθαι.

KJV And said courageously, These I had from heaven; and for his laws I despise them; and from him I hope to receive them again.

12

GRK Ὥστε αὐτὸν τὸν βασιλέα καὶ τοὺς σὺν αὐτῷ ἐκπλήσσεσθαι τὴν τοῦ νεανίσκου ψυχὴν, ὡς ἐν οὐδενὶ τὰς ἀλγηδόνας ἐτίθετο.

KJV Insomuch that the king, and they that were with him, marvelled at the young man’s courage, for that he nothing regarded the pains.

13

GRK Καὶ τούτου δὲ μεταλλάξαντος, τὸν τέταρτον ὡσαύτως ἐβασάνιζον αἰκιζόμενοι.

KJV Now when this man was dead also, they tormented and mangled the fourth in like manner.

14

GRK Καὶ γεννόμενος πρὸς τὸ τελευτᾷν, οὕτως ἔφη, αἱρετὸν μεταλλάσσοντας ὑπʼ ἀνθρώπων τὰς ὑπὸ τοῦ Θεοῦ προσδοκᾷν ἐλπίδας, πάλιν ἀναστήσεσθαι ὑπʼ αὐτοῦ· σοὶ μὲν γὰρ ἀνάστασις εἰς ζωὴν οὐκ ἔσται.

KJV So when he was ready to die he said thus, It is good, being put to death by men, to look for hope from God to be raised up again by him: as for thee, thou shalt have no resurrection to life.

15

GRK Ἐχομένως δὲ τὸν πέμπτον προσάγοντες ᾐκίζοντο.

KJV Afterward they brought the fifth also, and mangled him.

16

GRK Ὁ δὲ πρὸς αὐτὸν ἰδὼν, εἶπεν, ἐξουσίαν ἐν ἀνθρώποις ἔχων φθαρτὸς ὤν, ὅ θελεις ποιεῖς· μὴ δόκει δὲ τὸ γένος ἡμῶν ὑπὸ τοῦ Θεοῦ καταλελεῖφθαι.

KJV Then looked he unto the king, and said, Thou hast power over men, thou art corruptible, thou doest what thou wilt; yet think not that our nation is forsaken of God;

17

GRK Σὺ δὲ καρτέρει, καὶ θεώρει τὸ μεγαλεῖον αὐτοῦ κράτος, ὡς σὲ καὶ τὸ σπέρμα σου βασανίσει.

KJV But abide a while, and behold his great power, how he will torment thee and thy seed.

18

GRK Μετὰ δὲ τοῦτον ἦγον τὸν ἕκτον, καὶ μέλλων ἀποθνήσκειν, ἔφη, μὴ πλανῶ μάτην, ἡμεῖς γὰρ διʼ ἑαυτοὺς ταῦτα πάσχομεν ἁμαρτάνοντες εἰς τὸν ἑαυτῶν Θεὸν, διὸ ἄξια θαυμασμοῦ γέγονε.

KJV After him also they brought the sixth, who being ready to die said, Be not deceived without cause: for we suffer these things for ourselves, having sinned against our God: therefore marvellous things are done unto us.

19

GRK Σὺ δὲ μὴ νομίσῃς ἀθῶος ἔσεσθαι, θεομαχεῖν ἐπιχειρήσας.

KJV But think not thou, that takest in hand to strive against God, that thou shalt escape unpunished.

20

GRK Ὑπεραγόντως δὲ ἡ μήτηρ θαυμαστὴ καὶ μνήμης ἀγαθῆς ἀξία, ἥτις ἀπολλυμένους υἱοὺς ἑπτὰ συνορῶσα μιᾶς ὑπὸ καιρὸν ἡμέρας, εὐψύχως ἔφερε διὰ τὰς ἐπὶ Κύριον ἐλπίδας.

KJV But the mother was marvellous above all, and worthy of honourable memory: for when she saw her seven sons slain within the space of one day, she bare it with a good courage, because of the hope that she had in the Lord.

21

GRK Ἕκαστον δὲ αὐτῶν παρεκάλει τῇ πατρίῳ φωνῇ, γενναίῳ πεπληρωμένη φρονήματι, καὶ τὸν θῆλυν λογισμὸν ἄρσενι θυμῷ διεγείρασα, λέγουσα πρὸς αὐτοὺς,

KJV Yea, she exhorted every one of them in her own language, filled with courageous spirits; and stirring up her womanish thoughts with a manly stomach, she said unto them,

22

GRK οὐδʼ οἶδʼ ὅπως εἰς τὴν ἐμὴν ἐφάνητε κοιλίαν, οὐδὲ ἐγὼ τὸ πνεῦμα καὶ τὴν ζωὴν ὑμῖν ἐχαρισάμην, καὶ τὴν ἑκάστου στοιχείωσιν οὐκ ἐγὼ διερύθμισα.

KJV I cannot tell how ye came into my womb: for I neither gave you breath nor life, neither was it I that formed the members of every one of you;

23

GRK Τοιγαροῦν ὁ τοῦ κόσμου κτίστης ὁ πλάσας ἀνθρώπου γένεσιν, καὶ πάντων ἐξευρὼν γένεσιν, καὶ τὸ πνεῦμα καὶ τὴν ζωὴν ὑμῖν πάλιν ἀποδώσει μετʼ ἐλέους, ὡς νῦν ὑπερορᾶτε ἑαυτοὺς διὰ τοὺς αὐτοῦνόμους.

KJV But doubtless the Creator of the world, who formed the generation of man, and found out the beginning of all things, will also of his own mercy give you breath and life again, as ye now regard not your own selves for his laws’ sake.

24

GRK Ὁ δὲ Ἀντίοχος οἰόμενος καταφρονεῖσθαι, καὶ τὴν ὀνειδίζουσαν ὑφορώμενος φωνὴν, ἔτι τοῦ νεωτέρου περιόντος, οὐ μόνον διὰ λόγων ἐποιεῖτο τὴν παράκλησιν, ἀλλὰ καὶ διʼ ὅρκων ἐπίστου, ἅμα πλουτιεῖν καὶ μακαριστὸν ποιήσειν μεταθέμενον ἀπὸ τῶν πατρίων νόμων, καὶ φίλον ἕξειν, καὶ χρείας ἐμπιστεύσειν.

KJV Now Antiochus, thinking himself despised, and suspecting it to be a reproachful speech, whilst the youngest was yet alive, did not only exhort him by words, but also assured him with oaths, that he would make him both a rich and a happy man, if he would turn from the laws of his fathers; and that also he would take him for his friend, and trust him with affairs.

25

GRK Τοῦ δὲ νεανίου μηδαμῶς προσέχοντος, προσκαλεσάμενος ὁ βασιλεὺς τὴν μητέρα, παρήνει τοῦ μειρακίου γενέσθαι σύμβουλον ἐπὶ σωτηρία.

KJV But when the young man would in no case hearken unto him, the king called his mother, and exhorted her that she would counsel the young man to save his life.

26

GRK Πολλὰ δὲ αὐτοῦ παραινέσαντος, ἐπεδέξατο πείσειν τὸν υἱόν.

KJV And when he had exhorted her with many words, she promised him that she would counsel her son.

27

GRK Προσκύψασα δὲ αὐτῷ, χλευάσασα τὸν ὠμὸν τύραννον, οὕτως ἔφησε τῇ πατρῴᾳ φωνῇ, υἱὲ, ἐλέησόν με τὴν ἐν γαστρὶ περιενέγκασάν σε μῆνας ἐννέα, καὶ θηλάσασάν σε ἔτη τρία, καὶ ἐκθρέψασάν σε καὶ ἀγαγοῦσαν εἰς τὴν ἡλικίαν ταύτην, καὶ τροφοφορήσασαν.

KJV But she bowing herself toward him, laughing the cruel tyrant to scorn, spake in her country language on this manner; O my son, have pity upon me that bare thee nine months in my womb, and gave thee suck three years, and nourished thee, and brought thee up unto this age, and endured the troubles of education.

28

GRK Ἀξιῶ σε, τέκνον, ἀναβλέψαντα εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν καὶ τὴν γῆν, καὶ τὰ ἐν αὐτοῖς πάντα ἰδόντα, γνῶναι ὅτι ἐξ οὐκ ὄντων ἐποίησεν αὐτὰ ὁ Θεὸς, καὶ τὸ τῶν ἀνθρώπων γένος οὕτως γεγένηται,

KJV I beseech thee, my son, look upon the heaven and the earth, and all that is therein, and consider that God made them of things that were not; and so was mankind made likewise.

29

GRK μὴ φοβηθῇς τὸν δήμιον τοῦτον, ἀλλὰ τῶν ἀδελφῶν ἄξιος γενόμενος, ἐπίδεξαι τὸν θάνατον, ἵνα ἐν τῷ ἐλέει σὺν τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς σου κομίσωμαί σε.

KJV Fear not this tormentor, but, being worthy of thy brethren, take thy death that I may receive thee again in mercy with thy brethren.

30

GRK Ἔτι δὲ ταύτης καταλεγούσης ὁ νεανίας εἶπε, τίνα μένετε; οὐχ ὑπακούω τοῦ προστάγματος τοῦ βασιλέως· τοῦ δὲ προστάγματος ἀκούω τοῦ νόμου τοῦ δοθέντος τοῖς πατράσιν ἡμῶν διὰ Μωυσέως.

KJV Whiles she was yet speaking these words, the young man said, Whom wait ye for? I will not obey the king’s commandment: but I will obey the commandment of the law that was given unto our fathers by Moses.

31

GRK Σὺ δὲ πάσης κακίας εὑρετὴς γενόμενος εἰς τοὺς Ἑβραίους, οὐ μὴ διαφύγῃς τὰς χεῖρας τοῦ Θεοῦ.

KJV And thou, that hast been the author of all mischief against the Hebrews, shalt not escape the hands of God.

32

GRK Ἡμεῖς γὰρ διὰ τὰς ἑαυτῶν ἁμαρτίας πάσχομεν.

KJV For we suffer because of our sins.

33

GRK Εἰ δὲ χάριν ἐπιπλήξεως καὶ παιδείας ὁ ζῶν Κύριος ἡμῶν βραχέως ἐπώργισται, καὶ πάλιν καταλλαγήσεται τοῖς ἑαυτοῦ δούλοις.

KJV And though the living Lord be angry with us a little while for our chastening and correction, yet shall he be at one again with his servants.

34

GRK Σὺ δὲ ὦ ἀνόσιε, καὶ πάντων ἀνθρώπων μιαρώτατε, μὴ μάτην μετεωρίζου φρυαττόμενος ἀδήλοις ἐλπίσιν, ἐπὶ τοὺς δούλους αὐτοῦ ἐπαιρόμενος χεῖρα.

KJV But thou, O godless man, and of all other most wicked, be not lifted up without a cause, nor puffed up with uncertain hopes, lifting up thy hand against the servants of God:

35

GRK Οὔπω γὰρ τὴν τοῦ παντοκράτορος ἐπόπτου Θεοῦ κρίσιν ἐκπέφευγας.

KJV For thou hast not yet escaped the judgment of Almighty God, who seeth all things.

36

GRK Οἱ μὲν γὰρ νῦν ἡμέτεροι ἀδελφοὶ βραχὺν ὑπενέγκαντες πόνον, ἀεννάου ζωῆς ὑπὸ διαθήκην Θεοῦ πεπτώκασι· σὺ δὲ τῇ τοῦ Θεοῦ κρίσει δίκαια τὰ πρόστιμα τῆς ὑπετηφανίας ἀποίσῃ.

KJV For our brethren, who now have suffered a short pain, are dead under God’s covenant of everlasting life: but thou, through the judgment of God, shalt receive just punishment for thy pride.

37

GRK Ἐγὼ δὲ καθάπερ οἱ ἀδελφοί μου, καὶ σῶμα καὶ ψυχὴν προδίδωμι περὶ τῶν πατρίων νόμων, ἐπικαλούμενος τὸν Θεὸν ἵλεων ταχὺ τῷ ἔθνει γενέσθαι, καὶ σὲ μετὰ ἐτασμῶν καὶ μαστίγων ἐξομολογήσασθαι, διότι μόνος αὐτὸς Θεός ἐστιν,

KJV But I, as my brethren, offer up my body and life for the laws of our fathers, beseeching God that he would speedily be merciful unto our nation; and that thou by torments and plagues mayest confess, that he alone is God;

38

GRK ἐν ἐμοὶ δὲ καὶ τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς μου στῆναι τὴν τοῦ παντοκράτορος ὀργὴν τὴν ἐπὶ τὸ σύμπαν ἡμῶν γένος δικαίως ἐπηγμένην.

KJV And that in me and my brethren the wrath of the Almighty, which is justly brought upon our nation, may cease.

39

GRK Ἔκθυμος δὲ γενόμενος ὁ βασιλεὺς, τούτῳ παρὰ τοὺς ἄλλους χειρίστως ἀπήντησε, πικρῶς φέρων ἐπὶ τῷ μυκτηρισμῷ.

KJV Then the king being in a rage, handed him worse than all the rest, and took it grievously that he was mocked.

40

GRK Καὶ οὗτος οὖν καθαρὸς τὸν βίον μετήλλαξε, παντελῶς ἐπὶ τῷ Κυρίῳ πεποιθώς.

KJV So this man died undefiled, and put his whole trust in the Lord.

41

GRK Ἐσχάτη δὲ τῶν υἱῶν ἡ μήτηρ ἐτελεύτησε.

KJV Last of all after the sons the mother died.

42

GRK Τὰ μὲν οὖν περὶ σπλαγχνισμοὺς, καὶ τὰς ὑπερβαλλούσας αἰκίας ἐπὶ τοσοῦτον δεδηλώσθω.

KJV Let this be enough now to have spoken concerning the idolatrous feasts, and the extreme tortures.