22 that in so doing he might be delivered from death, and for the old friendship with them find favor.
23 But he began to consider discreetly, and as became his age, and the excellency of his ancient years, and the honor of his gray head, whereunto he was come, and his most honest education from a child, or rather the holy law made and given by God: therefore he answered accordingly, and willed them straightway to send him to the grave.
24 For it becometh not our age, said he, in any wise to dissemble, whereby many young persons might think that Ele-a´zar, being fourscore years old and ten, were now gone to a strange religion;
25 and so they through mine hypocrisy, and desire to live a little time and a moment longer, should be deceived by me, and I get a stain to mine old age, and make it abominable.
26 For though for the present time I should be delivered from the punishment of men: yet should I not escape the hand of the Almighty, neither alive, nor dead.
27 Wherefore now, manfully changing this life, I will show myself such an one as mine age requireth,
28 and leave a notable example to such as be young to die willingly and courageously for the honorable and holy laws. And when he had said these words, immediately he went to the torment: