4 Maccabees · Updated Brenton English Septuagint
4 Maccabees 10 Updated Brenton English Septuagint
Notes on this text (1)
- Same Septuagint text as Brenton, with modernised spelling.
1 Now this one, having endured this praiseworthy death, the third was brought along, and exhorted by many to taste and save his life.
1 Now this one endured this praiseworthy death. The third was brought along, and exhorted by many to taste and save his life.
2 But he cried out and said, Know ye not, that the father of those who are dead, begot me also; and that the same mother bare me; and that I was brought up in the same tenets?
2 But he cried out and said, “Don’t you know that the father of those who are dead is my father also, and that the same mother bore me, and that I was brought up in the same way?
3 I abjure not the noble relationship of my brethren.
3 I don’t renounce the noble relationship of my kindred.
4 Now then, whatever instrument of vengeance ye have, apply it to my body, for ye are not able to touch, even if ye wish it, my soul.
4 Now then, whatever instrument of vengeance you have, apply it to my body, for you aren’t able to touch my soul, even if you want to.”
5 But they, highly incensed at his boldness of speech, dislocated his hands and feet with racking engines, and wrenching them from their sockets, dismembered him.
5 But they, highly incensed at his boldness of speech, dislocated his hands and feet with racking engines, and wrenching them from their sockets, dismembered him.
6 And they dragged round his fingers, and his arms, and his legs, and his ankles.
6 They dragged around his fingers, his arms, his legs, and his ankles.
7 And not being able by any means to strangle him, they tore off his skin, together with the extreme tips of his fingers, flayed him, and then haled him to the wheel;
7 Not being able by any means to strangle him, they tore off his skin, together with the extreme tips of his fingers, and then dragged him to the wheel,
8 around which his vertebral joints were loosened, and he saw his own flesh torn to shreds, and streams of blood flowing from his entrails.
8 around which his vertebral joints were loosened, and he saw his own flesh torn to shreds, and streams of blood flowing from his entrails.
9 And when about to die, he said,
9 When about to die, he said,
10 We, O accursed tyrant, suffer this for the sake of Divine education and virtue.
10 “We, O accursed tyrant, suffer this for the sake of Divine education and virtue.
11 But thou, for thy impiety and bloodshedding, shalt endure indissoluble torments.
11 But you, for your impiety and blood shedding, will endure unceasing torments.”
12 And thus having died worthily of his brethren, they dragged forward the fourth, saying,
12 Thus having died worthily of his kindred, they dragged forward the fourth, saying,
13 Do not thou share the madness of thy brethren: but give regard to the king, and save thyself.
13 “Don’t share the madness of your kindred, but respect the king and save yourself.”
14 But he said to them, You have not a fire so scorching as to make me play the coward.
14 But he said to them, “You don’t have a fire so scorching as to make me play the coward.
15 By the blessed death of my brethren, and the eternal punishment of the tyrant, and the glorious life of the pious, I will not repudiate the noble brotherhood.
15 By the blessed death of my kindred, and the eternal punishment of the tyrant, and the glorious life of the pious, I will not repudiate the noble brotherhood.
16 Invent, O tyrant, tortures; that you may learn, even through them, that I am the brother of those tormented before.
16 Invent, O tyrant, tortures, that you may learn, even through them, that I am the brother of those tormented before.”
17 When he had said this, the bloodthirsty, and murderous, and unhallowed Antiochus ordered his tongue to be cut out.
17 When he had said this, the blood-thirsty, murderous, and unholy Antiochus ordered his tongue to be cut out.
18 But he said, Even if you take away the organ of speech, yet God hears the silent.
18 But he said, “Even if you take away the organ of speech, God still hears the silent.
19 Behold, my tongue is extended, cut it off; for not for that shalt thou extirpate our reasoning.
19 Behold, my tongue is extended, cut it off; for in spite of that you won’t silence our reasoning.
20 Gladly do we lose our limbs in behalf of God.
20 We gladly lose our limbs on behalf of God.
21 But God shall speedily find you, since you cut off the tongue, the instrument of divine melody.
21 But God will speedily find you, since you cut off the tongue, the instrument of divine melody.”