2 Maccabees 6:21-23

Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition

²¹ But they that stood by, being moved with wicked pity, for the old friendship they had with the man, taking him aside, desired that flesh might be brought, which it was lawful for him to eat, that he might make as if he had eaten, as the king had commanded of the flesh of the sacrifice:

²² That by so doing he might be delivered from death: and for the sake of their old friendship with the man they did him this courtesy.

²³ But he began to consider the dignity of his age, and his ancient years, and the inbred honour of his grey head, and his good life and conversation from a child: and he answered without delay, according to the ordinances of the holy law made by God, saying, that he would rather be sent into the other world.