Sample Hardship Catatlogues from Second Temple Literature

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SAMPLE HARDSHIP CATALOGUES

FROM SECOND TEMPLE LITERATURE

Sirach 2:1-5

“My child, when you come to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for testing.

Set your heart right and be steadfast, and do not be impetuous in time of calamity.

Cling to him and do not depart, so that your last days may be prosperous.

Accept whatever befalls you, and in times of humiliation be patient.

For gold is tested in the fire, and those found acceptable, in the furnace of humiliation.

Trust in him, and he will help you; make your ways straight, and hope in him.”

Wisdom of Solomon 3:4-7

“For though in the sight of others they were punished, their hope is full of immortality.

Having been disciplined a little, they will receive great good, because God tested them

and found them worthy of himself; like gold in the furnace he tried them, and like

a sacrificial burnt offering he accepted them. In the time of their visitation they will

shine forth, and will run like sparks through the stubble.”

Testament of Joseph 2:7

“In ten testing he showed that I was approved, and in all of them I persevered,

because perseverance is a powerful medicine and endurance provides many good things.”

4 Maccabees 9:10-32

“When they had said these things, the tyrant was not only indignant, as at those who

are disobedient, but also infuriated, as at those who are ungrateful. 11 Then at his

command the guards brought forward the eldest, and having torn off his tunic, they

bound his hands and arms with thongs on each side. When they had worn themselves

out beating him with scourges, without accomplishing anything, they placed him upon

the wheel. 13 When the noble youth was stretched out around this, his limbs were

dislocated, 14 and with every member disjointed he denounced the tyrant, saying,

15 "Most abominable tyrant, enemy of heavenly justice, savage of mind, you are

mangling me in this manner, not because I am a murderer, or as one who acts impiously,

but because I protect the divine law." 16 And when the guards said, "Agree to eat so

that you may be released from the tortures," 17 he replied, "You abominable lackeys,

your wheel is not so powerful as to strangle my reason. Cut my limbs, burn my flesh,

and twist my joints; 18 through all these tortures I will convince you that children of the

Hebrews alone are invincible where virtue is concerned." 19 While he was saying these

things, they spread fire under him, and while fanning the flames they tightened the wheel

further. 20 The wheel was completely smeared with blood, and the heap of coals was

being quenched by the drippings of gore, and pieces of flesh were falling off the axles

of the machine. 21 Although the ligaments joining his bones were already severed, the

courageous youth, worthy of Abraham, did not groan, 22 but as though transformed by

fire into immortality, he nobly endured the rackings. 23 "Imitate me, brothers," he said.

"Do not leave your post in my struggle or renounce our courageous family ties. 24 Fight

the sacred and noble battle for religion. Thereby the just Providence of our ancestors may

become merciful to our nation and take vengeance on the accursed tyrant." 25 When he

had said this, the saintly youth broke the thread of life.

26 While all were marveling at his courageous spirit, the guards brought in the

next eldest, and after fitting themselves with iron gauntlets having sharp hooks, they

bound him to the torture machine and catapult. 27 Before torturing him, they inquired

if he were willing to eat, and they heard his noble decision. 28 These leopard-like beasts

tore out his sinews with the iron hands, flayed all his flesh up to his chin, and tore away

his scalp. But he steadfastly endured this agony and said, 29 "How sweet is any kind of

death for the religion of our ancestors!" 30 To the tyrant he said, "Do you not think, you

most savage tyrant, that you are being tortured more than I, as you see the arrogant

design of your tyranny being defeated by our endurance for the sake of religion?

31 I lighten my pain by the joys that come from virtue, 32 but you suffer torture by the

threats that come from impiety. You will not escape, you most abominable tyrant, the

judgments of the divine wrath."”