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.
23 But Eleazar did the only honorable thing a man of his age and reputation could do. He firmly made up his mind to obey God's Law, just as he had always done. And so he immediately said:Kill me here and now!
24 It would be disgraceful for someone my age to pretend to eat unlawful food. Our young people would think that I had given up my Jewish faith after 90 years.
25 I might live a little longer, but I would cause our young people to deny their faith, and I would end up a shameful, disgusting old man.
26 I might escape torture at the hands of humans for now, but even when I am dead, I cannot escape from God All-Powerful!
27 By dying bravely I can prove that I was worthy of the long life that God has given me.
28 And my death will set a good example for our young people—it will show them that we should not be afraid to die for our sacred laws.When Eleazar had finished speaking, he walked straight to the place of torture.