4 Maccabees 16:1-3

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

16 If, then, a woman advanced in years and mother of seven sons endured seeing her children tortured to death, it must be admitted that pious reason is sovereign over the passions. ² Thus I have demonstrated not only that men have ruled over the passions but also that a woman has despised the fiercest tortures. ³ The lions surrounding Daniel were not so savage nor was the raging fiery furnace of Mishael so intensely hot as was her innate parental love consuming her as she saw her seven sons tortured in such varied ways.^(A)