Chapter 71

¹ And what profits you, O man—to go out of this world in glory as a martyr, or, having been delivered and remaining here, to sin?

² For we know many who confessed before the tribunal and, through some occasion in accordance with God’s providence, were released, and who then lived on for a considerable time and were found in transgressions.

³ What did their confession of God profit these men? For it would have been better for them if they had gone out of this world pure, having the heavenly crown, than, by remaining, to heap up sins for themselves for which they must render account.

⁴ Therefore let the one who is brought forward for the Name’s sake pray to go out as a martyr in whatever way it may be. For such a one is no longer even judged, but will judge, having his own portion in the first resurrection.

⁵ Be steadfast then, O man, never wavering in faith, and when you are called to martyrdom, answer readily, so that your faith may be made manifest. Perhaps God is testing you as he did Abraham, when he asked for Isaac. If, when you have been offered, he wills to deliver you, in this too glorify God.

⁶ Imitate, you too, the three young men, and consider their faith; for they said to the king: “God is able to deliver us, but if he does not will it, we are in the power of God; we would gladly die rather than do what is commanded by you.”

⁷ And when Nebuchadnezzar then saw them come out of the furnace pure and unblemished, he was struck with astonishment and marveled; for neither was a hair of them singed, nor were their trousers altered, nor was there even any smell of fire on them.