1 When he, too, had undergone blessed
martyrdom, and died in the cauldron into
which he had been thrown, the seventh,
the youngest of all, came forward,

2 whom the tyrant pitying, though he
had been dreadfully reproached by his
kindred,

3 seeing him already encompassed with
chains, had him brought nearer, and
endeavored to counsel him, saying,

4 “You see the end of the madness of
your kindred, for they have died in
torture through disobedience. You, if
disobedient, having been miserably tormented,
will yourself perish prematurely.

5 But if you obey, you will be my friend,
and have a charge over the affairs of the
kingdom.”

6 Having thus exhorted him, he sent for
the boy’s mother, that, by showing compassion
to her for the loss of so many sons,
he might incline her, through the hope of
safety, to render the survivor obedient.

7 He, after his mother had urged him on
in the Hebrew tongue, (as we will soon
relate) said,

8 “Releaseme thatImay speak to the king
and all his friends.

9 They, rejoicing exceedingly at the
promise of the youth, quickly let him go.

10 He, running up to the pans, said,