26 Eleazar was now burned down to his bones and on the edge of death. He raised his eyes toward God and said,
27 "God, you know that I could have saved myself; instead, I am being burned and tortured to death for the sake of your Law.
28 Have mercy on your people. Make our punishment sufficient for their sake.
29 Purify them with my blood, and take my life in exchange for theirs."
30 When he said this, the holy man died with dignity from the torture. By thinking clearly, he resisted even while facing the pains of death for the sake of the Law.
31 So without question, godly thinking rules over the emotions.
32 If the emotions had overpowered clear thinking in these events, we would have given evidence of their superior strength.