2 Maccabees 7:1-3

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

The Martyrdom of Seven Brothers

7 It happened also that seven brothers and their mother were arrested and were being compelled by the king, under torture with whips and straps, to partake of unlawful pig’s flesh.^{(A) 2} One of them, acting as their spokesman, said, “What do you intend to ask and learn from us? For we are ready to die rather than transgress the laws of our ancestors.”^(B)

³ The king fell into a rage and gave orders to have pans and caldrons heated.^(C)