12. He used to tell you about Phinehas’ total commitment, and to teach you about Hananiah, Azariah, and Mishael in the fire.
13. He used to praise Daniel in the lions’ den—he called Daniel privileged.
14. He kept reminding you about the scripture in Isaiah that says, Even if you go through fire, the flame will not burn you up.
15. He used to sing to you the songs of David the psalmist, who said, The righteous person is bothered by many trials.
16. He used to quote Solomon’s proverb: There is a tree that gives life for those who do what God wants.
17. He reinforced the truth of Ezekiel, where it says, Will these dry bones live?
18. And he didn’t forget to teach you the song that Moses taught, which says,
19. I kill and I bring things to life: this is your life and the length of your days."
20. How that day was bitter and yet not bitter! That was when the bitter Greek tyrant smothered fire with more fire in his cruel copper pots. That was when he dragged those seven sons of that daughter of Abraham back and forth in his furious anger between the catapult and other torture devices.
21. That was when he skewered their eyes through the pupils, cut out their tongues, and put them to death with all kinds of torture.
22. Because of these acts, divine justice pursued and will pursue the cursed tyrant.
23. The sons of Abraham together with their prizewinning mother have been joined with the chorus of their ancestors and have been given pure and immortal souls by God,
24. to whom belongs the glory forever and always. Amen.