1 "What are you waiting for, tyrant? We are ready to die rather than sin against the commandments handed down by our ancestors!
2 We would be a disgrace to our parents if we didn’t maintain our commitment to the Law and to Moses our chief advisor.
3 You, tyrant, advise lawless behavior. In your hatred for us, don’t pity us more than we pity ourselves!
4 We consider your pity, which offers safety at the cost of breaking our Law, to be more bitter than death.