4 Maccabees 15:2-4

Revised Standard Version

² Two courses were open to this mother, that of religion, and that of preserving her seven sons for a time, as the tyrant had promised. ³ She loved religion more, religion that preserves them for eternal life according to God’s promise. 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 toward their offspring than do the fathers.