20. Whether we disobey the Law in a small matter or a big one, it is equally important,
21. because we are showing equal contempt for the Law itself.
22. “You look down on our way of life as though living this way were unreasonable.
23. However, our way of life teaches us self-control, so that we can have control over any pleasure or desire. It trains us to be brave, so that we willingly bear any suffering.
24. It educates us about justice, so that it is always our custom to treat everyone fairly. It educates us in the godly way of life, so that we worship with due respect the only God who really exists.
25. "So we don’t eat forbidden foods. We believe that God gave us the Law. The creator of the cosmic order has shown us compassion by giving us the Law in accordance with nature.
26. He has allowed us to eat what is most appropriate for our lives, but he has forbidden us to eat meat that would interfere with our welfare.
27. You are acting like a tyrant, trying not only to force us to break our Law but you are trying also to make us eat forbidden food that we hate just so you can make fun of us.
28. You won’t have a chance to laugh at me.
29. I’m not going to break the sacred promises my ancestors made to keep the Law,
30. not even if you dig out my eyes and set my guts on fire.
31. I’m not so old and cowardly that I can’t exhibit youthful strength in my mind out of respect for God.
32. Get your torture devices ready, and build up the fires to make them burn hotter.
33. I don’t pity my old age so much that I will tear down the Law of my ancestors by my actions.