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Susanna’s Beauty Attracts Two Elders
There was a man living in Babylon whose name was Jo′akim.
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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.”
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The two elders used to see her every day, going in and walking about, and they began to desire her.
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The Elders Attempt to Seduce Susanna
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.
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And no one was there except the two elders, who had hid themselves and were watching her.
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They 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.
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When the maids had gone out, the two elders rose and ran to her, and said:
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Then Susanna cried out with a loud voice, and the two elders shouted against her.
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And when the elders told their tale, the servants were greatly ashamed, for nothing like this had ever been said about Susanna.
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The Elders Testify against Susanna
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.
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Then the two elders stood up in the midst of the people, and laid their hands upon her head.
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The 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.
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The assembly believed them, because they were elders of the people and judges; and they condemned her to death.
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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.”
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And they rose against the two elders, for out of their own mouths Daniel had convicted them of bearing false witness;
