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16
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
But abide a while, and behold his great power, how he will torment thee and thy seed.
18
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
But think not thou, that takest in hand to strive against God, that thou shalt escape unpunished.
20
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
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
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
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
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
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
And when he had exhorted her with many words, she promised him that she would counsel
her son.
27
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 such three years, and nourished thee, and brought thee up unto this age, and endured
the troubles of education.
28
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
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
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
And thou, that hast been the author of all mischief against the Hebrews, shalt not escape the
hands of God.
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KJV Bible