Antiochus, sitting on his throne with his advisers in a certain high place, with his armed armies around.
2He ordered the guards to seize each of the Hebrews and force them to eat pork and meat sacrificed to idols.
3And if any of them refused to eat the unclean, he would be tortured on the wheel and killed.
4And when many had been seized, a man named Eleazar, leader of the flock, was brought before the king.
5He was a man of priestly family, versed in the law, advanced in years and known to many of the royal court for his philosophy.
6Antiochus, looking at him, said: Before I begin to torture you, old man, I would advise you to eat pork and save yourself.
7For I respect your age and your gray hair. However, you do not seem to me to be a philosopher if for so long you have practiced the Jewish way of life.
8Why do you abhor eating the excellent meat of this animal that nature has graciously given us?
9It is foolish not to enjoy what is pleasant and not shameful, and it is wrong to reject the gifts of nature.
10You will do even more foolishness if, by vain opinions about truth, you defy me to your own punishment.