16 Our God never stops being kind to us, his chosen people. He lets our sufferings teach us to do right, but he never deserts us.
17 I have said these things to remind you of God's way of dealing with us. Now back to my story.
18 Eleazar was an elderly gentleman and a highly respected teacher of the Law. One day some men forced his mouth open and tried to make him eat the meat of a pig.
19 Eleazar chose to die with honor rather than to live with shame. So he willingly walked to the place of torture, spitting out the meat as he went.
20 This is a fine example of courage for everyone who is willing to refuse unclean food, even if it means death.
21 The men in charge of the lawless sacrifice had known Eleazar for a long time. So they took him aside and said to him in private:Get some meat that your religion says can be eaten. Then pretend you are eating meat from the pig that the king ordered us to sacrifice.
22 Do this, and you won't be killed. We have been friends for a long time, so let us do this favor for you.