4 Maccabees 3
3
1clear thinking doesn’t appear to have control over its own tendencies, but it does control those emotions that come from the body. 2None of us can eliminate that kind of emotion, but clear thinking makes it possible for us not to be slaves to our emotions. 3None of you can eliminate anger from your soul, but clear thinking can help you deal with your anger. 4None of you can completely eliminate meanness, but clear thinking can fight alongside you so that you don’t have to give in to your cruel tendencies. 5Clear thinking does not uproot the emotions, but it is their opponent.
Example of King David
6This can be shown more clearly by the story of when King David was thirsty. 7David had been attacking the enemy#3.7 Or the foreigners all day long, and he had killed many of them with the help of his nation’s soldiers. 8When it was evening, he returned to his royal tent, dripping with sweat and completely exhausted. The whole army of our ancestors was camped around it, 9and all the others were eating dinner. 10However, the king was extremely thirsty. Even though there were plenty of water springs in the camp, he couldn’t quench his thirst with them. 11Instead, he was obsessed with an unreasonable desire for water from the enemy’s camp. 12His guards began to complain bitterly about the king’s desire. Then two strong young soldiers, embarrassed because of the king’s craving, put on their armor, grabbed a pitcher, and went behind the enemy lines. 13They sneaked past the guards at the gate and began searching through the whole camp. 14They found the spring and courageously brought the king a drink. 15But even though he was on fire with thirst, David understood the terrible danger that this drink posed to his soul. It had equal value to the blood of the men who risked their lives to fetch it.#3.15 Gk omits of the men who risked their lives to fetch it. 16So he pitted clear thinking against his desire, and he poured out the drink as an offering to God. 17The sensible mind can overcome the pressures of the emotions and put out the flames of undisciplined desires. 18It can overcome the most intense pain in the body and reject the emotions’ attempts at gaining control with the dignified character of clear thinking.
Setting: a lesson from history
19But the present occasion invites us to give an illustration from history that demonstrates the power of self-controlled clear thinking. 20Our ancestors were enjoying peace and success because of their obedience to the Law. Even Seleucus Nicanor, king of Asia, set apart money to help support the temple worship and recognized the Jewish constitution. 21At that time, certain people attempted to overthrow the government. They upset the nation’s harmony and caused a lot of trouble.
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4 Maccabees 3: CEB
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