CHAPTER 13

Susanna

1 There dwelt a man in Babylon, called Joacim:2 And he took a wife, whose name was Susanna, the daughter of Chelcias, a very fair woman, and one that feared the Lord.3 Her parents also were righteous, and taught their daughter according to the law of Moses.4 Now Joacim was a great rich man, and had a fair garden joining unto his house: and to him resorted the Jews; because he was more honourable than all others.5 The same year were appointed two of the ancients of the people to be judges, such as the Lord spake of, that wickedness came from Babylon from ancient judges, who seemed to govern the people.6These kept much at Joacim's house: and all that had any suits in law came unto them.7 Now when the people departed away at noon, Susanna went into her husband's garden to walk.8 And the two elders saw her going in every day, and walking; so that their lust was inflamed toward her.9 And they perverted their own mind, and turned away their eyes, that they might not look unto heaven, nor remember just judgments.10 And albeit they both were wounded with her love, yet durst not one shew another his grief.11 For they were ashamed to declare their lust, that they desired to have to do with her.12 Yet they watched diligently from day to day to see her.13 And the one said to the other, Let us now go home: for it is dinner time.14 So when they were gone out, they parted the one from the other, and turning back again they came to the same place; and after that they had asked one another the cause, they acknowledged their lust: then appointed they a time both together, when they might find her alone.15 And it fell out, as they watched a fit time, she went in as before with two maids only, and she was desirous to wash herself in the garden: for it was hot.16 And there was no body there save the two elders, that had hid themselves, and watched her.17  Then she said to her maids, Bring me oil and washing balls, and shut the garden doors, that I may wash me.18 And they did as she bade them, and shut the garden doors, and went out themselves at privy doors to fetch the things that she had commanded them: but they saw not the elders, because they were hid.19 Now when the maids were gone forth, the two elders rose up, and ran unto her, saying,20 Behold, the garden doors are shut, that no man can see us, and we are in love with thee; therefore consent unto us, and lie with us.21 If thou wilt not, we will bear witness against thee, that a young man was with thee: and therefore thou didst send away thy maids from thee.22 Then Susanna sighed, and said, I am straitened on every side: for if I do this thing, it is death unto me: and if I do it not I cannot escape your hands.23 It is better for me to fall into your hands, and not do it, than to sin in the sight of the Lord.24 With that Susanna cried with a loud voice: and the two elders cried out against her.25 Then ran the one, and opened the garden door.26 So when the servants of the house heard the cry in the garden, they rushed in at the privy door, to see what was done unto her.27 But when the elders had declared their matter, the servants were greatly ashamed: for there was never such a report made of Susanna.28 And it came to pass the next day, when the people were assembled to her husband Joacim, the two elders came also full of mischievous imagination against Susanna to put her to death;29 And said before the people, Send for Susanna, the daughter of Chelcias, Joacim's wife. And so they sent.30 So she came with her father and mother, her children, and all her kindred.31 Now Susanna was a very delicate woman, and beauteous to behold.32 And these wicked men commanded to uncover her face, (for she was covered) that they might be filled with her beauty.
33 Therefore her friends and all that saw her wept.

34 Then the two elders stood up in the midst of the people, and laid their hands upon her head.35 And she weeping looked up toward heaven: for her heart trusted in the Lord.36 And the elders said, As we walked in the garden alone, this woman came in with two maids, and shut the garden doors, and sent the maids away.37 Then a young man, who there was hid, came unto her, and lay with her.38 Then we that stood in a corner of the garden, seeing this wickedness, ran unto them.39 And when we saw them together, the man we could not hold: for he was stronger than we, and opened the door, and leaped out.40 But having taken this woman, we asked who the young man was, but she would not tell us: these things do we testify.41 Then the assembly believed them as those that were the elders and judges of the people: so they condemned her to death.42 Then Susanna cried out with a loud voice, and said, O everlasting God, that knowest the secrets, and knowest all things before they be:43 Thou knowest that they have borne false witness against me, and, behold, I must die; whereas I never did such things as these men have maliciously invented against me.44 And the Lord heard her voice.45 Therefore when she was led to be put to death, the Lord raised up the holy spirit of a young youth whose name was Daniel:46 Who cried with a loud voice, I am clear from the blood of this woman.47 Then all the people turned them toward him, and said, What mean these words that thou hast spoken?48 So he standing in the midst of them said, Are ye such fools, ye sons of Israel, that without examination or knowledge of the truth ye have condemned a daughter of Israel?49 Return again to the place of judgment: for they have borne false witness against her.50 Wherefore all the people turned again in haste, and the elders said unto him, Come, sit down among us, and shew it us, seeing God hath given thee the honour of an elder.51 Then said Daniel unto them, Put these two aside one far from another, and I will examine them.52 So when they were put asunder one from another, he called one of them, and said unto him, O thou that art waxen old in wickedness, now thy sins which thou hast committed aforetime are come to light.53 For thou hast pronounced false judgment and hast condemned the innocent and hast let the guilty go free; albeit the Lord saith, The innocent and righteous shalt thou not slay.54 Now then, if thou hast seen her, tell me, Under what tree sawest thou them companying together? Who answered, Under a mastick tree.55 And Daniel said, Very well; thou hast lied against thine own head; for even now the angel of God hath received the sentence of God to cut thee in two.56 So he put him aside, and commanded to bring the other, and said unto him, O thou seed of Chanaan, and not of Juda, beauty hath deceived thee, and lust hath perverted thine heart.57 Thus have ye dealt with the daughters of Israel, and they for fear companied with you: but the daughter of Juda would not abide your wickedness.58 Now therefore tell me, Under what tree didst thou take them companying together? Who answered, Under an holm tree.59 Then said Daniel unto him, Well; thou hast also lied against thine own head: for the angel of God waiteth with the sword to cut thee in two, that he may destroy you.60 With that all the assembly cried out with a loud voice, and praised God, who saveth them that trust in him.61 And they arose against the two elders, for Daniel had convicted them of false witness by their own mouth:62 And according to the law of Moses they did unto them in such sort as they maliciously intended to do to their neighbour: and they put them to death. Thus the innocent blood was saved the same day.63 Therefore Chelcias and his wife praised God for their daughter Susanna, with Joacim her husband, and all the kindred, because there was no dishonesty found in her.64 From that day forth was Daniel had in great reputation in the sight of the people.

- King James Versiom (KJV)

15 Gr. as yesterday and the day before.18 Or, side doors.53 Exod. 23. 7.54 Gr. lentiske tree.58 Or, kind of oak.62 Deut. 19. 19. prov. 19.5.

Susanna

In Babylon there lived a man named Joakim, 
who married a very beautiful and God-fearing woman, Susanna, the daughter of Hilkiah; 
her parents were righteous and had trained their daughter according to the law of Moses. 
Joakim was very rich and he had a garden near his house. The Jews had recourse to him often because he was the most respected of them all.
That year, two elders of the people were appointed judges, of whom the Lord said, “Lawlessness has come out of Babylon, that is, from the elders who were to govern the people as judges.” 
These men, to whom all brought their cases, frequented the house of Joakim. 
When the people left at noon, Susanna used to enter her husband’s garden for a walk. 
When the elders saw her enter every day for her walk, they began to lust for her. 
They perverted their thinking; they would not allow their eyes to look to heaven, and did not keep in mind just judgments. 
Though both were enamored of her, they did not tell each other their trouble, 
for they were ashamed to reveal their lustful desire to have her. 12 Day by day they watched eagerly for her. 
One day they said to each other, “Let us be off for home, it is time for the noon meal.” So they went their separate ways. 
But both turned back and arrived at the same spot. When they asked each other the reason, they admitted their lust, and then they agreed to look for an occasion when they could find her alone.
One day, while they were waiting for the right moment, she entered as usual, with two maids only, wanting to bathe in the garden, for the weather was warm. 
16Nobody else was there except the two elders, who had hidden themselves and were watching her. 
17“Bring me oil and soap,” she said to the maids, “and shut the garden gates while I bathe.” 
18They did as she said; they shut the garden gates and left by the side gate to fetch what she had ordered, unaware that the elders were hidden inside.
As soon as the maids had left, the two old men got up and ran to her. 
“Look,” they said, “the garden doors are shut, no one can see us, and we want you. So give in to our desire, and lie with us. 
If you refuse, we will testify against you that a young man was here with you and that is why you sent your maids away.”
“I am completely trapped,” Susanna groaned. “If I yield, it will be my death; if I refuse, I cannot escape your power. 
Yet it is better for me not to do it and to fall into your power than to sin before the Lord.” 
Then Susanna screamed, and the two old men also shouted at her, 
as one of them ran to open the garden gates. 
When the people in the house heard the cries from the garden, they rushed in by the side gate to see what had happened to her. 
At the accusations of the old men, the servants felt very much ashamed, for never had any such thing been said about Susanna.
When the people came to her husband Joakim the next day, the two wicked old men also came, full of lawless intent to put Susanna to death. 
Before the people they ordered: “Send for Susanna, the daughter of Hilkiah, the wife of Joakim.” When she was sent for, 
she came with her parents, children and all her relatives. 31Susanna, very delicate and beautiful, 
was veiled; but those transgressors of the law ordered that she be exposed so as to sate themselves with her beauty. 
All her companions and the onlookers were weeping.
In the midst of the people the two old men rose up and laid their hands on her head. 

As she wept she looked up to heaven, for she trusted in the Lord wholeheartedly. 
The old men said, “As we were walking in the garden alone, this woman entered with two servant girls, shut the garden gates and sent the servant girls away. 
A young man, who was hidden there, came and lay with her. 
When we, in a corner of the garden, saw this lawlessness, we ran toward them. 
We saw them lying together, but the man we could not hold, because he was stronger than we; he opened the gates and ran off. 
Then we seized this one and asked who the young man was, 
but she refused to tell us. We testify to this.” The assembly believed them, since they were elders and judges of the people, and they condemned her to death.
But Susanna cried aloud: “Eternal God, you know what is hidden and are aware of all things before they come to be: 
you know that they have testified falsely against me. Here I am about to die, though I have done none of the things for which these men have condemned me.”
The Lord heard her prayer. 
As she was being led to execution, God stirred up the holy spirit of a young boy named Daniel, 
and he cried aloud: “I am innocent of this woman’s blood.” 47 All the people turned and asked him, “What are you saying?” 
He stood in their midst and said, “Are you such fools, you Israelites, to condemn a daughter of Israel without investigation and without clear evidence? 49Return to court, for they have testified falsely against her.”
Then all the people returned in haste. To Daniel the elders said, “Come, sit with us and inform us, since God has given you the prestige of old age.” 
But he replied, “Separate these two far from one another, and I will examine them.”
After they were separated from each other, he called one of them and said: “How you have grown evil with age! Now have your past sins come to term: 
passing unjust sentences, condemning the innocent, and freeing the guilty,a although the Lord says, ‘The innocent and the just you shall not put to death.’ 
Now, then, if you were a witness, tell me under what tree you saw them together.” 
“Under a mastic tree,”* he answered. “Your fine lie has cost you your head,” said Daniel; “for the angel of God has already received the sentence from God and shall split you in two.” 
Putting him to one side, he ordered the other one to be brought. “Offspring of Canaan, not of Judah,” Daniel said to him, “beauty has seduced you, lust has perverted your heart. 
This is how you acted with the daughters of Israel, and in their fear they yielded to you; but a daughter of Judah did not tolerate your lawlessness. 
Now, then, tell me under what tree you surprised them together.” 
“Under an oak,” he said. “Your fine lie has cost you also your head,” said Daniel; “for the angel of God waits with a sword to cut you in two so as to destroy you both.”
The whole assembly cried aloud, blessing God who saves those who hope in him. 
They rose up against the two old men, for by their own words Daniel had convicted them of bearing false witness.b They condemned them to the fate they had planned for their neighbor: 
in accordance with the law of Moses they put them to death. Thus was innocent blood spared that day.
Hilkiah and his wife praised God for their daughter Susanna, with Joakim her husband and all her relatives, because she was found innocent of any shameful deed. 
And from that day onward Daniel was greatly esteemed by the people.

- New American Bible Revised Edition (NAB)

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