THE CHRISTIAN SCRIPTURES Old Testament Prophecy - Angelfire

DANIEL
Susannah
1 There was a man residing in Babylon; his name was Jehoiakim. 2 He took a wife by
the name of Susannah, the daughter of Hilkiah; she was exceedingly beautiful, and she
feared the Lord. 3 Her parents were righteous, and they taught their daughter according
to the law of Moses. 4 Jehoiakim was exceedingly rich, and he had a park adjacent to his
house. The Judeans used it regularly, because it was more highly esteemed than any.
5 Two elders from the people were appointed as judges during that year; concerning
them, the Master declared, "Lawlessness came out from Babylon, from elder judges
who were supposed to guide the people." 6 They held court in the house of Jehoiakim,
and everyone who had a case to be judged came to them.
7 It happened that, when the people departed in the middle of the day, Susannah
would go into and walk in the park of her husband. 8 The two elders observed her going
in and walking each day, and they were filled with covetousness for her. 9 They
perverted their own minds, and they turned their eyes away so as not to look at heaven
nor remember righteous judgments. 10 They were both smitten by her, yet did not tell
each other of their distress, 11 for they were ashamed to tell of their covetousness, that
they wanted to have intercourse with her. 12 They watched eagerly each day for a
chance to see her.
13 The one said to the other, "Let us go home now, for it is the lunch hour." After
they came out and separated from each other, 14 they turned back and came to the
same place. When they asked each other the reason, they confessed their
covetousness. Then they agreed together on an opportune time when they could find
her alone.
15 It happened that, while they were watching on a convenient day, she entered at
some point just as she had the day before and the day before that, with two maids
only. She desired to bathe in the park, for it was hot. 16 No one was there except the
two elders who were hidden, who were watching her. 17 She said to the maids, "Now
bring me oil and soap, and shut the gates of the park, so that I may bathe." 18 They did
as she said; they shut up the gates of the park, and they came out through the side
gates to bring the things which had been commanded to them. They did not see the
elders, for they were hidden.
19 It happened that, as the maids came out, the two elders stood up and ran to her.
20 They said, "Behold, the gates of the park have been shut, and no one will observe us.
We are full of covetousness for you, so give us your permission and have relations with
us. 21 Otherwise, we will testify against you that a young man was with you, and that
because of this you sent the maids away from you."
22 Susannah moaned and said, "I am blocked at every turn, for if I do this, it is death
to me, and if I do not, I will not escape your hands. 23 It is better for me not to do it and
to fall into your hands than to sin in the sight of the Lord."
24 Susannah cried out in a loud voice, and the two elders shouted against her. 25 One