16. Who wasn’t amazed at the athletes who were competing in the name of the divine Law? Who wasn’t astonished?
17. The tyrant himself, along with all his political advisors, was amazed at their resistance,
18. for which they now stand in front of God’s throne and live a blessed life forever.
19. Moses says, "All those who have set themselves apart for you are in your care."
20. These people who have dedicated themselves to God are honored, therefore, not only with this privilege but also because they kept our enemies from ruling our nation.
21. The tyrant was punished, and our nation was cleansed through them. They exchanged their lives for the nation’s sin.
22. Divine providence delivered Israel from its former abuse through the blood of those godly people. Their deaths were a sacrifice that finds mercy from God.
23. When he saw their extraordinary courage and their commitment in the face of torture, the tyrant Antiochus held up their endurance as an example to his own soldiers.
24. This made them dignified and brave when they fought battles or destroyed villages, and so they conquered and raided all of their enemies.