There dwelt a man in Babylon, whose name was Joakim.

And he took a wife, whose name was Susanna, the daughter of Chelkias, a woman of exceeding beauty, and one that feared the Lord.

Her parents also were righteous, and taught their daughter according to the law of Moses.

And Joakim was very rich, and had a fair garden joining unto his house: and to him resorted the Jews; because he was the most honourable of all. And when she was led to death, the Lord raised up the holy spirit of a young youth, whose name was Daniel.

The same year were appointed two elders of the people to be judges, such as the Lord spake of, that wickedness came from Babylon from elders who were judges, who seemed to govern the people. Then all the people returned quickly, and said to him, Come, sit among us, and shew us, seeing God hath given thee the honour of an elder. Then said Daniel unto them, Separate these two far from one another, and I will examine them. 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: For now, if thou hast seen her, tell me, under what tree sawest thou them companying together? Who answered, Under a mastic tree. And Daniel said, Right well hast thou lied against thine own head; for even now the angel of God hath received the sentence of God to cut thee in two.

These frequented the house of Joakim: and all that had any suits in law came unto them.

Now when the people departed away at noon, Susanna went into her husband's garden to walk.

And the two elders saw her going in every day, and walking: so their lust was inflamed toward her.

And they perverted their own mind, and turned away their eyes, that they might not look unto heaven, nor remember just judgments.

And albeit they were both wounded with her love, yet durst not one shew another his grief; For they were ashamed to declare their lust, that they desired to have to do with her.

Yet they watched daily when they might see her.

And the one said to the other, Let us now go home, for it is dinner time. 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: and then appointed they a time both together, when they might find her alone.

And it fell out, as they watched a fit time, she went in as before, with two maids only, and was desirous to wash herself in the garden: for it was hot.

And there was nobody there but the two elders, that had hid themselves, and watched for her.

Then she said to her maids, Bring me oil and washing balls, and shut the garden doors, that I may wash me.

And they did as she bade them, and shut the garden doors, and went out themselves at a privy door to fetch the things that she had commanded them: but they saw not the elders, because they were hid.

Now when the maids were gone forth, the two elders rose up, and ran unto her, saying, Behold, the garden doors are shut, that no man can see us, and we are in love with thee; therefore consent unto us, and be with us.

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.

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.

It is better for me to fall into your hands without doing it, than to sin in the sight of the Lord.

With that Susanna cried with a loud voice: and the two elders cried out against her.

Then ran the one and opened the garden door.

So when the household heard the cry in the garden, they rushed in at the privy door, to see what was done unto her.

But when the elders had declared their matter, the servants were greatly ashamed: for there never was such a report made of Susanna.

And it came to pass the next day, when the people were assembled to Joakim her husband, the two elders came, full of mischievous imagination against Susanna to put her to death.

And said before the people, Send for Susanna, the daughter of Chelkias, Joakim's wife. And so they sent.

So she came with her father and mother, her children, and all her kindred.

Now Susanna was a very delicate woman, and to appearance comely.

And these wicked men commanded to uncover her face, (for she was covered) that they might be filled with her beauty.

Therefore her friends and all that knew her wept.

Then the two elders stood up in the midst of the people, and laid their hands upon her head.

And she weeping looked up toward heaven: for her heart trusted in the Lord.

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.

Then a young man, who there was hid, came unto her, and lay with her.

And we, being in a corner of the garden, saw this wickedness, and ran unto them.

And when we saw them together, the man we could not hold; for he was stronger than we, and opened the doors, and leaped out.

So the assembly gave credit to them, as being elders and judges of the people: and they condemned her to death.

Then Susanna cried out with a loud voice, and said, O everlasting God, that knowest the secrets, and knowest all things before they be:

And the Lord heard her voice.

With a loud voice cried he, I am clear from the blood of this woman.

Then all the people turned them toward him, and said, What mean these words that thou hast spoken?

So he standing in the midst of them said, Are ye such fools, ye sons of Israel, that ye have condemned a daughter of Israel before ye have examined the matter, and known the truth?

Return again to the place of judgment: for these two have borne false witness against her.

By thy judging, thou hast given false judgment, and hast condemned the innocent, and hast let the guilty go free; albeit the Lord saith, The innocent and righteous slay thou not.

So he put him aside, and commanded to bring the other, and said unto him, O thou seed of Canaan, and not of Juda, beauty hath deceived thee, and lust hath perverted thine heart.

Thus have ye dealt with the daughters of Israel, and they for fear resorted unto you: but the daughter of Juda would not abide your wickedness.

Now therefore tell me, under what tree didst thou take them companying together? Who answered, Under an oak tree.

Then said Daniel unto him, 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.

With that all the assembly cried out with a loud voice, and praised God, who saveth them that trust in him.

And they arose against the two elders, for Daniel had convicted them of false witness by their own mouth: and according to the law of Moses, they dealt with them as they intended to do with their neighbour:

And according to the law of Moses they slew them. Thus the innocent blood was saved the same day.

Therefore Chelkias and his wife praised God for their daughter Susanna, with Joakim her husband, and all her kindred: for there was no dishonour found in her.

From that day forth was Daniel had in great reputation in the sight of the people.

And King Astyages was gathered to his fathers, and Cyrus the Persian received his kingdom.