4 Maccabees 6:18-20

Revised Standard Version

¹⁸ For it would be irrational if we, who have lived in accordance with truth to old age and have maintained in accordance with law the reputation of such a life, should now change our course ¹⁹ and ourselves become a pattern of impiety to the young, in becoming an example of the eating of defiling food. ²⁰ It would be shameful if we should survive for a little while and during that time be a laughing stock to all for our cowardice,