4 Maccabees 15:4-6

New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised

⁴ In what manner might I express the emotions of parents who love their children? We impress upon the character of a small child a wondrous likeness both of mind and of form. Especially is this true of mothers, who because of their birth pangs have a deeper sympathy towards their offspring than do the fathers. ⁵ Considering that mothers are the weaker sex and give birth to many, they are more devoted to their children.^{[a] 6} The mother of the seven boys, more than any other mother, loved her children. In seven pregnancies she had implanted in herself tender love towards them,