4 Maccabees 14:9-11

Revised Standard Version

⁹ Even now, we ourselves shudder as we hear of the tribulations of these young men; they not only saw what was happening, yes, not only heard the direct word of threat, but also bore the sufferings patiently, and in agonies of fire at that. ¹⁰ What could be more excruciatingly painful than this? For the power of fire is intense and swift, and it consumed their bodies quickly.

An Encomium on the Mother of the Seven

¹¹ Do not consider it amazing that reason had full command over these men in their tortures, since the mind of woman despised even more diverse agonies,