4 Maccabees 15:25-27

Common English Bible

²⁵ Her life was like a courtroom, and many powerful voices were speaking out—nature, family, a parent’s love, and the instruments of torture set out for her children. ²⁶ This mother held two ballots in her hand: the first sentenced her children to death; the second rescued them. ²⁷ She chose not to seek the kind of rescue that would keep her seven sons safe for a short time.