23 You are sacrificing your life to obey the laws of the God who created this world and all of its people. But God will be merciful and give life and breath back to you.
24 From the way the mother was talking, King Antiochus could tell she was insulting him and sneering at him. The youngest son was still alive. So Antiochus made all kinds of promises to the boy and tried to make him change his mind. He said, “If you will forget about the teachings of your ancestors, I will make you rich and respected. You will be one of my trusted friends and a government official.”
25-26 When the boy refused to listen, the king turned to the mother, urging her to make the boy change his mind. Finally, she agreed
27 and leaned toward her son. She spoke in her native language and mocked the cruel king:My son, have pity on me! Even before you were born, you grew inside my body for nine months. Then I nursed you at my breast for three years. And until this very day, I have looked after you and taken care of you.
28 Now, I beg you to look at the heavens and the earth and think about what you see. God made all of this out of nothing, and he made us humans in the same way.
29 Don't be afraid of this butcher! Die willingly and show that you are just like your brothers. Then God will have pity and give you back to me on the day he gives me your brothers.
30 While the mother was still speaking, the boy said to the king:What are you waiting for? I'm not going to obey your orders! I only obey God's teachings that Moses gave to our ancestors.