25 And one of them ran and opened the garden doors. 23 I choose not to do it I will fall into your hands, rather than sin in the sight of the Lord.”Ģ4 Then Susanna cried out with a loud voice, and the two elders shouted against her. For if I do this, it will mean death for me if I do not, I cannot escape your hands. 21 If you refuse, we will testify against you that a young man was with you, and this was why you sent your maids away.”Ģ2 Susanna groaned and said, “I am completely trapped. We are burning with desire for you so give your consent, and lie with us. 20 They said, “Look, the garden doors are shut, and no one can see us. 17 She said to her maids, “Bring me olive oil and ointments, and shut the garden doors so that I can bathe.” 18 They did as she told them: they shut the doors of the garden and went out by the side doors to bring what they had been commanded they did not see the elders, because they were hiding.ġ9 When the maids had gone out, the two elders got up and ran to her. 16 No one was there except the two elders, who had hidden themselves and were watching her. The Elders Attempt to Seduce Susannaġ5 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 a hot day. Then together they arranged for a time when they could find her alone.

14 But turning back, they met again and when each pressed the other for the reason, they confessed their lust.

12 Day after day they watched eagerly to see her.ġ3 One day they said to each other, “Let us go home, for it is time for lunch.” So they both left and parted from each other. 10 Both were overwhelmed with passion for her, but they did not tell each other of their distress, 11 for they were ashamed to disclose their lustful desire to seduce her. 9 They suppressed their consciences and turned away their eyes from looking to Heaven or remembering their duty to administer justice. 8 Every day the two elders used to see her, going in and walking about, and they began to lust for her. Concerning them the Lord had said: “Wickedness came forth from Babylon, from elders who were judges, who were supposed to govern the people.” 6 These men were frequently at Joakim’s house, and all who had a case to be tried came to them there.ħ When the people left at noon, Susanna would go into her husband’s garden to walk. 4 Joakim was very rich, and had a fine garden adjoining his house the Jews used to come to him because he was the most honored of them all.ĥ That year two elders from the people were appointed as judges. 3 Her parents were righteous, and had trained their daughter according to the law of Moses. 2 He married the daughter of Hilkiah, named Susanna, a very beautiful woman and one who feared the Lord. 13 There was a man living in Babylon whose name was Joakim.

Kitabu cha daniel