4 Maccabees

4 Maccabees should not be accepted as canon, but still presents a moral story and a view on the perspective of the ancients.

Do not Fear Death

12 And another, Remember of what stock ye are; and by the hand of our father Isaac endured to be slain for the sake of piety. 13 And one and all, looking on each other serene and confident, said, Let us sacrifice with all our heart our souls to God who gave them, and employ our bodies for the keeping of the law. 14 Let us not fear him who thinketh he killeth; 15 for great is the trial of soul and danger of eternal torment laid up for those who transgress the commandment of God. 16 Let us arm ourselves, therefore, in the abnegation of the divine reasoning. 17 If we suffer thus, Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob will receive us, and all the fathers will commend us

The book, 4 Maccabees, is a moral one, about the power of faith over fleshly desire, and the story here is about seven brethren and their father who chose death over violation of the law at the command of Antiochus, the Greek ruler of Syria.