4. For the temple was full of the riot and revellings of the Gentiles: and of men lying with lewd women. And women thrust themselves of their accord into the holy places, and brought in things that were not lawful.
5. The altar also was filled with unlawful things, which were forbidden by the laws.
6. And neither were the sabbaths kept, nor the solemn days of the fathers observed, neither did any man plainly profess himself to be a Jew.
7. But they were led by bitter constraint on the king's birthday to the sacrifices: and when the feast of Bacchus was kept, they wore compelled to go about crowned with ivy in honour of Bacchus.
8. And there went out a decree into the neighbouring cities of the Gentiles, by the suggestion of the Ptolemeans, that they also should act in like manner against the Jews, to oblige them to sacrifice:
9. And whosoever would not conform themselves to the ways of the Gentiles, should be put to death: then was misery to be seen.
10. For two women were accused to have circumcised their children: whom, when they had openly led about through the city with the infants hanging at their breasts, they threw down headlong from the walls.
11. And others that had met together in caves that were near, and were keeping the sabbath day privately, being discovered by Philip, were burnt with fire, because they made a conscience to help themselves with their hands, by reason of the religious observance of the day.
12. Now I beseech those that shall read this book, that they be not shocked at these calamities, but that they consider the things that happened, not as being for the destruction, but for the correction of our nation.
13. For it is a token of great goodness when sinners are not suffered to go on in their ways for a long time, but are presently punished.
14. For, not as with other nations (whom the Lord patiently expecteth, that when the day of judgment shall come, he may punish them in the fulness of their sins:)
15. Doth he also deal with us, so as to suffer our sins to come to their height, and then take vengeance on us.
16. And therefore he never withdraweth his mercy from us: but though he chastise his people with adversity, he forsaketh them not.
17. But let this suffice in a few words for a warning to the readers. And now we must come to the narration.
18. Eleazar one of the chief of the scribes, a man advanced in years, and of a comely countenance, was pressed to open his mouth to eat swine's flesh.
19. But he, choosing rather a most glorious death than a hateful life, went forward voluntarily to the torment.
20. And considering in what manner he was come to ii;, patiently bearing, he determined not to do any unlawful things for the love of life.
21. But they that stood by, being moved with wicked pity, for the old friendship they had with the man, taking him aside, desired that flesh might be brought, which it was lawful for him to eat, that he might make as if he had eaten, as the king had commanded of the flesh of the sacrifice: