17. But he replied, "You dirty thugs! The wheel is not stretched tight enough to choke off my mind! Keep cutting my limbs, burning my flesh, and twisting my joints.
18. Through all of this suffering, I will persuade you that the Israelites alone can’t be defeated when it comes to moral character!"
19. While he was still saying these words, they spread fiery coals below him. They fanned the flames and tightened the wheel even more.
20. By this point, the wheel was covered in blood, the burning coals were being put out by the gory drippings, and chunks of flesh were falling off parts of the machine.
21. Even with all the ligaments of his bones severed, the dignified son of Abraham didn’t cry out loud.
22. Instead, he endured the torture with honor, as if he were transformed by the fire into a life without end. He said,
23. "Imitate me, brothers. Don’t desert your post in this contest or deny the courage we share as brothers!