Daniel 13:36-64

New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised Catholic Edition

³⁶ The elders said, ‘While we were walking in the garden alone, this woman came in with two maids, shut the garden doors, and dismissed the maids. ³⁷ Then a young man, who was hiding there, came to her and lay with her. ³⁸ We were in a corner of the garden, and when we saw this wickedness we ran to them. ³⁹ Although we saw them embracing, we could not hold the man, because he was stronger than we are, and he opened the doors and got away. ⁴⁰ We did, however, seize this woman and asked who the young man was, ⁴¹ but she would not tell us. These things we testify.’

Because they were elders of the people and judges, the assembly believed them and condemned her to death.

⁴² Then Susanna cried out with a loud voice, and said, ‘O eternal God, you know what is secret and are aware of all things before they come to be; ⁴³ you know that these men have given false evidence against me. And now I am to die, though I have done none of the wicked things that they have charged against me!’

⁴⁴ The Lord heard her cry. ⁴⁵ Just as she was being led off to execution, God stirred up the holy spirit of a young lad named Daniel, ⁴⁶ and he shouted with a loud voice, ‘I want no part in shedding this woman’s blood!’

Daniel Rescues Susanna

⁴⁷ All the people turned to him and asked, ‘What is this you are saying?’ ⁴⁸ Taking his stand among them he said, ‘Are you such fools, O Israelites, as to condemn a daughter of Israel without examination and without learning the facts? ⁴⁹ Return to court, for these men have given false evidence against her.’

⁵⁰ So all the people hurried back. And the rest of the^[a] elders said to him, ‘Come, sit among us and inform us, for God has given you the standing of an elder.’ ⁵¹ 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, ⁵³ pronouncing unjust judgements, condemning the innocent and acquitting the guilty, though the Lord said, “You shall not put an innocent and righteous person to death.” ⁵⁴ Now then, if you really saw this woman, tell me this: Under what tree did you see them being intimate with each other?’ He answered, ‘Under a mastic tree.’^{[b] 55} And Daniel said, ‘Very well! This lie has cost you your head, for the angel of God has received the sentence from God and will immediately cut^[c] you in two.’

⁵⁶ Then, putting him to one side, he ordered them to bring the other. And he said to him, ‘You offspring of Canaan and not of Judah, beauty has beguiled you and lust has perverted your heart. ⁵⁷ This is how you have been treating the daughters of Israel, and they were intimate with you through fear; but a daughter of Judah would not tolerate your wickedness. ⁵⁸ Now then, tell me: Under what tree did you catch them being intimate with each other?’ He answered, ‘Under an evergreen oak.’^{[d] 59} Daniel said to him, ‘Very well! This lie has cost you also your head, for the angel of God is waiting with his sword to split^[e] you in two, so as to destroy you both.’

⁶⁰ Then the whole assembly raised a great shout and blessed God, who saves those who hope in him. ⁶¹ And they took action against the two elders, because out of their own mouths Daniel had convicted them of bearing false witness; they did to them as they had wickedly planned to do to their neighbour. ⁶² Acting in accordance with the law of Moses, they put them to death. Thus innocent blood was spared that day.

⁶³ Hilkiah and his wife praised God for their daughter Susanna, and so did her husband Joakim and all her relatives, because she was found innocent of a shameful deed. ⁶⁴ And from that day onwards Daniel had a great reputation among the people.