Two Elders’ Lust for Susanna
1 There was a man living in Babylon whose name was Jo'akim. 2And he
took a wife named Susanna, the daughter of Hilki'ah, a very beautiful woman
and one who feared the Lord. 3Her parents were righteous, and had taught
their daughter according to the law of Moses. 4Jo'akim was very rich, and
had a spacious garden adjoining his house; and the Jews used to come to
him because he was the most honored of them all. 5 In that year two elders
from the people were appointed as judges. Concerning them the Lord had
said: “Iniquity came forth from Babylon, from elders who were judges, who
were supposed to govern the people.” 6These men were frequently at Jo'akim’s
house, and all who had suits at law came to them. 7 When the people departed
at noon, Susanna would go into her husband’s garden to walk. 8The two elders
used to see her every day, going in and walking about, and they began to
desire her. 9And they perverted their minds and turned away their eyes
from looking to Heaven or remembering righteous judgments. 10Both were
overwhelmed with passion for her, but they did not tell each other of their
distress, 11for they were ashamed to disclose their lustful desire to possess
her. 12And they watched eagerly, day after day, to see her. 13 They said
to each other, “Let us go home, for it is mealtime.” 14And when they went
out, they parted from each other. But turning back, they met again; and
when each pressed the other for the reason, they confessed their lust.
And then together they arranged for a time when they could find her alone.
The Elders Attempt to Seduce Susanna
15 Once, while they were watching for an opportune day, she went in
as before with only two maids, and wished to bathe in the garden, for it
was very hot. 16And no one was there except the two elders, who had hid
themselves and were watching her. 17She said to her maids, “Bring me oil
and ointments, and shut the garden doors so that I may bathe.” 18They did
as she said, shut the garden doors, and went out by the side doors to bring
what they had been commanded; and they did not see the elders, because
they were hidden. 19 When the maids had gone out, the two elders rose and
ran to her, and said: 20“Look, the garden doors are shut, no one sees us,
and we are in love with you; so give your consent, and lie with us. 21If
you refuse, we will testify against you that a young man was with you,
and this was why you sent your maids away.” 22 Susanna sighed deeply, and
said, “I am hemmed in on every side. For if I do this thing, it is death
for me; and if I do not, I shall not escape your hands. 23 I choose not
to do it and to fall into your hands, rather than to sin in the sight of
the Lord.” 24 Then Susanna cried out with a loud voice, and the two elders
shouted against her. 25And one of them ran and opened the garden doors.
26When the household servants heard the shouting in the garden, they rushed
in at the side door to see what had happened to her. 27And when the elders
told their tale, the servants were greatly ashamed, for nothing like this
had ever been said about Susanna.
The Elders Testify against Susanna
28 The next day, when the people gathered at the house of her husband
Jo'akim, the two elders came, full of their wicked plot to have Susanna
put to death. 29They said before the people, “Send for Susanna, the daughter
of Hilki'ah, who is the wife of Jo'akim.” 30So they sent for her. And she
came, with her parents, her children, and all her kindred. 31 Now Susanna
was a woman of great refinement, and beautiful in appearance. 32As she
was veiled, the wicked men ordered her to be unveiled, that they might
feed upon her beauty. 33But her family and friends and all who saw her
wept. 34 Then the two elders stood up in the midst of the people, and laid
their hands upon her head. 35And she, weeping, looked up toward heaven,
for her heart trusted in the Lord. 36The elders said, “As we were walking
in the garden alone, this woman came in with two maids, shut the garden
doors, and dismissed the maids. 37Then a young man, who had been hidden,
came to her and lay with her. 38We were in a corner of the garden, and
when we saw this wickedness we ran to them. 39We saw them embracing, but
we could not hold the man, for he was too strong for us, and he opened
the doors and dashed out. 40 So we seized this woman and asked her who
the young man was, but she would not tell us. These things we testify.”
41 The assembly believed them, because they were elders of the people and
judges; and they condemned her to death. 42 Then Susanna cried out with
a loud voice, and said, “O eternal God, who discern what is secret, who
are aware of all things before they come to be, 43you know that these men
have borne false witness against me. And now I am to die! Yet I have done
none of the things that they have wickedly invented against me!”
Daniel Rescues Susanna
44 The Lord heard her cry. 45And as she was being led away to be put
to death, God aroused the holy spirit of a young lad named Daniel; 46and
he cried with a loud voice, “I am innocent of the blood of this woman.”
47 All the people turned to him, and said, “What is this that you have
said?” 48Taking his stand in the midst of them, he said, “Are you such
fools, you sons of Israel? Have you condemned a daughter of Israel without
examination and without learning the facts? 49Return to the place of judgment.
For these men have borne false witness against her.” 50 Then all the people
returned in haste. And the elders said to him, “Come, sit among us and
inform us, for God has given you that right.” 51And Daniel said to them,
“Separate them far from each other, and I will examine them.” 52 When they
were separated from each other, he summoned one of them and said to him,
“You old relic of wicked days, your sins have now come home, which you
have committed in the past, 53pronouncing unjust judgments, condemning
the innocent and letting the guilty go free, though the Lord said, ‘Do
not put to death an innocent and righteous person.’ 54Now then, if you
really saw her, tell me this: Under what tree did you see them being intimate
with each other?” He answered, “Under a mastic tree.”a 55And Daniel said,
“Very well! You have lied against your own head, for the angel of God has
received the sentence from God and will immediately cut you in two.” 56
Then he put him aside, and commanded them to bring the other. And he said
to him, “You offspring of Canaan and not of Judah, beauty has deceived
you and lust has perverted your heart. 57This is how you both have been
dealing with the daughters of Israel, and they were intimate with you through
fear; but a daughter of Judah would not endure your wickedness. 58Now then,
tell me: Under what tree did you catch them being intimate with each other?”
He answered, “Under an evergreen oak.”(b) 59And Daniel said to him,
“Very well! You also have lied against your own head, for the angel of
God is waiting with his sword to saw(b) you in two, that he may
destroy you both.” 60 Then all the assembly shouted loudly and blessed
God, who saves those who hope in him. 61And they rose against the
two elders, for out of their own mouths Daniel had convicted them of bearing
false witness; 62and they did to them as they had wickedly planned to do
to their neighbor; acting in accordance with the law of Moses, they put
them to death. Thus innocent blood was saved that day. 63 And Hilki'ah
and his wife praised God for their daughter Susanna, and so did Jo'akim
her husband and all her kindred, because nothing shameful was found in
her. 64And from that day onward Daniel had a great reputation among the
people.
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for March 18, 2013