4 Maccabees 9:4-6

Revised Standard Version

⁴ For we consider this pity of yours which insures our safety through transgression of the law to be more grievous than death itself. ⁵ You are trying to terrify us by threatening us with death by torture, as though a short time ago you learned nothing from Elea′zar. ⁶ And if the aged men of the Hebrews because of their religion lived piously^[a] while enduring torture, it would be even more fitting that we young men should die despising your coercive tortures, which our aged instructor also overcame.