2 Maccabees 6:18-20

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

The Martyrdom of Eleazar

¹⁸ Eleazar, one of the scribes in high position, a man now advanced in age and of noble presence, was being forced to open his mouth to eat pig’s flesh.^{(A) 19} But he, welcoming death with honor rather than life with pollution, went up to the rack of his own accord,^{(B) 20} spitting it out as all ought to go who have the courage to refuse things that it is not right to taste, even for the natural love of life.