2 Maccabees 7:9–14 D-R - And when he was at the…

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2 Maccabees 7:9–14

9 And when he was at the last gasp, he said thus: Thou indeed, O most wicked man, destroyest us out of this present life: but the King of the world will raise us up, who die for his laws, in the resurrection of eternal life.

10 After him the third was made a mocking-stock, and when he was required, he quickly put forth his tongue, and courageously stretched out his hands:

11 And said with confidence: These I have from heaven, but for the laws of God I now despise them, because I hope to receive them again from him.

12 So that the king, and they that were with him, wondered at the young man’s courage, because he esteemed the torments as nothing.

13 And after he was thus dead, they tormented the fourth in the like manner.

14 And when he was now ready to die, he spoke thus: It is better, being put to death by men, to look for hope from God, to be raised up again by him; for, as to thee, thou shalt have no resurrection unto life.

2 Maccabees 7:9–14 — New Revised Standard Version: Updated Edition (NRSVue)

9 And when he was at his last breath, he said, “You accursed wretch, you dismiss us from this present life, but the King of the universe will raise us up to a renewal of everlasting life, because we have died for his laws.”

10 After him, the third was the victim of their sport. When it was demanded, he quickly put out his tongue and courageously stretched forth his hands 11 and said nobly, “I got these from heaven, and because of his laws I disdain them, and from him I hope to get them back again.” 12 As a result, the king himself and those with him were astonished at the young man’s spirit, for he regarded his sufferings as nothing.

13 After he, too, had died, they maltreated and tortured the fourth in the same way. 14 When he was near death, he said, “One cannot but choose to die at the hands of mortals and to cherish the hope God gives of being raised again by him. But for you there will be no resurrection to life!”