1. When the sixth brother also died a privileged death after being thrown into a burning-hot kettle, the seventh and youngest of all came forward.
2. When he saw that the boy was already in chains, the tyrant felt pity for him, despite the verbal abuse he had endured from the boy’s brothers. He called the boy closer and tried to encourage him, saying,
3. "You see the result of your brothers’ lack of sense. They died in terrible pain because they disobeyed.
4. If you don’t obey me, you too will experience horrible torture and die long before your time.
5. But if you listen to me, you will be my friend, and you will be put in charge over the affairs of the kingdom."
6. After giving his advice, Antiochus sent for the boy’s mother to take pity on her after she had lost so many sons and so she could persuade her remaining son to obey and save himself.
7. After his mother encouraged him in Hebrew (as we will discuss later),
8. he said, "Let me go. I want to speak to the king and all his friends."
9. They were very happy with the boy’s announcement, so they quickly let him go.
10. He ran to the nearest container of burning coal