4 Maccabees 8:22-24

New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised

²² Also, divine justice will excuse us for fearing the king when we are under compulsion. ²³ Why do we banish ourselves from this most pleasant life and deprive ourselves of this delightful world? ²⁴ Let us not struggle against compulsion^[a] or take hollow pride in being put to the rack.