16. So the Lord is always merciful to us, his own people. Although he punishes us with disasters, he never abandons us.
17. I have made these few observations by way of reminder. We will now get on with the story.
18. There was an elderly and highly respected teacher of the Law by the name of Eleazar, whose mouth was being forced open to make him eat pork.
19-20. But he preferred an honourable death rather than a life of disgrace. So he spat out the meat and went willingly to the place of torture, showing how people should have courage to refuse unclean food, even if it costs them their lives.