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!
24. Fight the holy and dignified battle for our godly way of life. The just providence that watched over our ancestors might become merciful toward our nation and might punish this cursed tyrant through that battle!"
25. After he had said these words, the devout youth died.
26. While everyone was still in awe over the oldest son’s strong will, the guards dragged forward the next-oldest son. They put on iron gloves with sharp claws and tied the young man to the torture device.
27. Before they began to torture him, they asked if he would eat pork. When they heard his courageous answer,
28. they acted like wild leopards. They ripped out his muscles with their iron claws, tore his flesh all the way up to his chin, and tore his scalp off. He bore the pain with difficulty and said:
29. "Any kind of death is sweet for the sake of the godly way of life of our ancestors!" Then he said to the tyrant,
30. "You are the most barbaric tyrant of all. Don’t you think that you are being tortured worse than I am, since you are seeing the proud logic of tyranny defeated by our endurance for the sake of our godly way of life?
31. I ease my pain with the pleasure that comes from godly character.
32. But you are tortured by the threats that hang over your head, because you have no respect for God. You bloodstained tyrant, you won’t escape the revenge of divine wrath!"