1Accordingly, the tyrant Antiochus, accompanied by his councillors, sat in judgement on a certain high place with his troops drawn up around him in full armour,
2and he ordered his guards to drag there every single man of the Hebrews and compel them to eat swine's flesh and things offered to idols;
3but if any should refuse to defile themselves with the unclean things, they were to be tortured
4and put to death. And when many had been taken by force, one man first from among the company was brought before Antiochus, a Hebrew whose name was Eleazar, a priest by birth, trained in knowledge of the law, a man advanced in years and well known to many of the tyrant's court for his philosophy.
5And Antiochus, looking on him, said:
6'Before I allow the tortures to begin for you, O venerable man, I would give you this counsel, that you should eat of the flesh of the swine and save your life; for I respect your age and your grey hairs, although to have worn them so long a time, and still to cling to the Yahudi (Jewish) religion, makes me think you no philosopher.