4 Maccabees 15:3-5

Revised Standard Version

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. ⁵ Considering that mothers are the weaker sex and give birth to many, they are the more devoted to their children.^[a]